82 



Rock Inscriptions. 



are remains of various Wihares, the stones composing which 

 are of great size, and in many instances neatly worked. The 

 inscription is cut on a shelving face of rock, sixteen or twenty 

 feet above the water level of the tank. It forms one large 

 curving line, about thirty-five paces in extent. The letters 

 are from eight to twelve inches in height, boldly cut, forming 

 triangular grooves (and net outlined by isolated dots, as is 

 sometimes the case). Owing to the roughness of the granite, 

 the letters are somewhat irregular in size and position : but 

 there is only one blank, and in that instance, I am inclined 

 to think that the spot never was occupied by letters. 



On the whole, this is much the most perfect inscription in 

 this character which I have yet met with. Regarding its 

 origin, the natives appear to have no tradition whatever. 



The second inscription I have not had an opportunity of 

 visiting in person. The intelligent Modliar of the Northern 

 District of Chilaw discovered it when travelling through the 

 jungle on duty, and obligingly forwarded a copy of it to me 

 immediately. It is engraved on the Moolegame Kande at 

 Moolegame in Kirimittia Pattoo of Demele Pattoo, two miles 

 west of Kongkaddewille, and I should suppose about two 

 and twenty miles west of Putlam. 



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 df>WVT 



Most of the characters in this inscription, will be found in 

 the other ; and of the remainder, the majority, if not all, will 

 be found in those of which, on previous occasions, I have had 

 the pleasure of transmitting copies. 



