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JOURNAL, RA.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol XXI. 



and is situated to the south of Lahu-gala, and nearly west of 

 Potuvil and Arugam bay. 



The plain at the base is considerably broken by masses of 

 stone in large slabs. At one of these I found an ancient 

 stone quarry, there being several monoliths of stone left, just 

 as they had been wedged from the parent rock. 



I also found traces of large holes cut into the slab , probably 

 for posts of wood to be inserted to carry a roof, as the whole 

 outline was regular, and suggestive of this purpose. 



Close to the summit was a pokuna, partially artificial in 

 form, and so constructed as to catch rain water. A second 

 mass of rock forming a lower terrace is flanked on one side 

 with a wall of Cyclopean stones that now affords an excellent 

 promenade for red monkeys. 



The top of Nil-gala is also abundantly strewn with bricks, 

 in a more or less overgrown condition. Here, an ornamental 

 hibiscus affords a striking feature among somewhat stunted 

 vegetation, as well as room for speculation as to its introduc- 

 tion, especially when one considers the abundance of the same 

 plant among the ruins on the summit of Bandara-malai, over- 

 looking Maha Sen's great tank at Kantalai 3 that lies a good 

 120 miles to the north of this lonely but once occupied 

 mountain. The uneven nature of the present vegetation at 

 the base of Nil-gala points unquestionably to its once-peopled 

 state, though to-day it is silent and alone. The stonework 

 only must have engaged the strenuous labour of a consider- 

 able multitude that unquestionably populated the country 

 right down to the coast line on the east and south, of which 

 now the only evidence we have is in these interesting remains. 



Passing down the line which divides Uva from the Eastern 

 Province, one crosses several ruined tanks that are now 

 grown up in forest. After continuing this journey for 

 nearly five miles the line will be found to enter into a country 

 much broken up by great masses of rock. These rise to no 

 great altitude, but break the uniformity of the plain that one 

 traverses. 



4 . — Ndma luwa-hela. 



Presently, after crossing several "hog's-backs " of rock one 

 finds to the right of the line (west) a number of circular cut 



