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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XII.. 



It is preferable to find the report of the discussion on a 

 Paper printed in immediate connection with the Paper itself, 

 instead of having to turn to separate Proceedings for the 

 arguments adduced. 



It also detracts from the value of a Paper if criticisms 

 made upon it by Members are not published with it. The 

 Proceedings when inserted in their proper place in the Journal 

 are more likely to be read than when published separately. 



In pursuance of the new system the Proceedings of each 

 Meeting held during 1891, together with all Papers read 

 thereat, and notes of any discussions which ensued, have 

 been promptly sent to press as soon after the Meetings as 

 possible. By this means Members will, it is hoped, have in 

 their hands a complete record of the entire work done in 

 the course of the preceding year very shortly after its close. 



The Council views this improvement both in the form of 

 the Journal, commencing with Vol. XII., and in the prompti- 

 tude of its issue, with unmixed satisfaction, and desires to 

 'congratulate the Society on the prospect of a final solution 

 having been found to the question of delay (unavoidable 

 under the old system), which has been of late years the 

 source of much and not unnatural discontent. 



The thanks of the Society are due to the Government 

 Printer and his Assistants for their never-failing readiness to 

 serve the Society in connection with the printing of the 

 Journal and Proceedings of the Society. 



Archceology. 



Interest under this head naturally centres in the Archaeo- 

 logical Survey of the Island, the initiation of which was 

 among the many projects due to the wide-reaching adminis- 

 tration of Sir Arthur Gordon and his Government. There is 

 every reason to believe that the survey, as at present limited 

 to Anuradhapura and the North-Central Province, is being 

 prosecuted with vigour, and on a scale commensurate with 

 the Government vote devoted to the purpose. The quarterly 

 Progress Reports furnished to Government by the Archaeo- 

 logical Commissioner speak to good work done. As ex- 

 ploration proceeds outwards the officers of the Survey 

 Department detached for the survey of the ruins keep pace 

 pari passu, carefully noting all ancient landmarks, roads, 

 bridges, tanks, &c. A reliable plan of the ancient city is 

 thus being gradually laid down, so far as the forest growth 

 of centuries and the hand of time permit of the remains 

 being laboriously traced out. 



Excavation with a small labour force is necessarily limited 

 to a few sites likely to yield profitable results towards a 

 better understanding of the style of architecture and grouping 



