APRIL — 1858.] Notes Antiquarian and Mythical. 53 



III. Notes Antiquarian and Mythical. By M. J. Walhouse, 

 Esq., C. S. 



I. 



The worship paid to rough stones is a curious and widely spread 

 feature in the ancient religions, and in the majority of its phases 

 appears to have been connected with that phallic or lingam wor- 

 ship, which now confined to India, prevailed in early times through- 

 out Southern and Western Asia, and even penetrated into Europe. 

 It is the object of this notice to bring together some of the more 

 remarkable indications of its existence ; though in such an attempt 

 there is always the danger of repeating what has been before pre- 

 sented in the many scientific publications of the day, possibly in 

 this very Journal. None however can pretend to be acquainted 

 with all that is, and has been published, on any particular subject, 

 for the rest " pereant male qui ante nos nostra dixere." 



The shape in which the reproductive power is popularly typified 

 in this country is well known ; from the rude elongated stone set 

 up under every green tree, to the massive cylinders of hewn rock, 

 black with oil, in their celled shrines, in the rejuevos of some 

 ancient pagoda. There is a conspicuous instance at a remarkable 

 point where the Cauvery after running 50 miles through an almost 

 untrodden wilderness of hills and jungle eastward from the Falls 

 of Sivasamudram, turns south on its way to the rice-fields of Tan- 

 jore. At the bend the river spreads into a broad expanse, the 

 banks level with the water, and from the middle of the flood a 

 column, apparently of white smoke arises and drifts away upon the 

 wind. This remarkable appearance is due to some deep hidden 

 chasm into which the water falls and sends up a cloud of spray- 

 mist : but standing, as one does, on a level with the water, no 

 rocks or cleft are visible, and the wreath of vapour ascends, pre- 

 cisely like smoke, from the seemingly unbroken bosom of the 

 stream. This spot is called — a Canarese dialect prevailing there 

 — Hogenakallu (smoke-rock) and immediately opposite it on the 

 eastern bank stands a hoary old pagoda round whose inner enclo- 



