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Appendix : — Proceedings of 



mounted by a conical mound, on which are three rows of projecting 

 prominences ; these three lines appear to refer to Siva. The forehead 

 is strongly gilt. The prayers have not been deciphered, but I have taken 

 steps to procure them, and shall submit them to Professor Wilson. On 

 turning to the plate, p. 80, Journal, the Sumbunath has seven stories or 

 circles, in what I shall call its steeple. At page 72, these are described 

 as meaning " the seven heavens." On referring to my drawing of Lanka 

 Kama, and of Mehentelle, as well as of my friend, Captain Weller, (See 

 Vol. III. Trans : Plates), the same number of circles will be found, al- 

 though the Lithographer, in the case of Lanka, has made only four. It 

 now only remains for me to beg, that attention may be paid to the im- 

 portance of the equilateral triangle in Budhistical buildings. According 

 to my rough memoranda, every religious building is, as regards the frame 

 work, made up of these triangles, as well as the tae-kieh,* in the con- 

 struction of Tanks. My attention to it was first attracted by Tissa 

 Wewa at Anuradhapoora. 



Let A. B. represent the lake; o, p, will be the embankment. This is 

 carried far above the highest ground so that when sufficient water is en- 

 closed, it may fall into the lower levels A — o. A — p. The crest of the 

 embankment is thus guarded against accident ; and the supply of water 

 beyond the embankment being issued by means of syphons passing from 

 the bottom of the water below, or beneath the embankment, it is guarded 

 from this danger. Judging that " everything Budhistical," is done by 

 rule, I cannot but think that the peculiar construction of the tae-kieh is 

 devoted to some peculiar purpose. 



In the hope that the particulars detailed in this letter, may induce 

 others to take up the investigation, whilst in the head quarters of 

 B udhism, I remain, yours faithfully, 



S. J. Chapman. 



As near as can be made out from M.S. 



