116 



Architectural Remains. [No. 11, new series. 



are in this respect equal to those in European collection : 1 once 

 thought I had discovered a black glazed one, but, on closer in- 

 spection, I found that the polished surface had been produced by 

 friction. 



15. Of the origin of these Tumuli the same tradition is found 

 in every part of the District. That they are the houses of a race 

 of Pigmies called Pandura, who, having angered the gods, were 

 punished by fire rained upon them from Heaven : that they sought 

 protection in their houses and pulled these huge stones over them. 



16. The people have no veneration for these remains, not 

 even the Erulars and Kurambers, who inhabit the jungles around 

 the hills and who are so like the descendants of Aborigines. The 

 only feeling they have about them is fear, that the spirits of the 

 Panduras might visit them if they interfered with their graves. 



Pillar Stones. 



17. In a country where boundaries are still marked with 

 Pillar stones, it may naturally be expected that this class of me- 

 morial would be numerous; such is the case in Coimbatore — Pillar 

 stones, marking boundaries, are found every where. 



Most of them are dressed stones . some are inscribed, and many 

 have carvings of Hindu figures upon them. 



18. Occasionally other Pillar stones are met with, which seem 

 to have been raised to commemorate some gallant deed in the 

 destruction of Tigers ; as they are carved with representations of 

 struggles between these animals and human beings There are 

 many of these throughout the District. 



19. I found one half of an inscribed Pillar stone a short time 

 ago in an irrigation channel near the base of the Anamalais : so 

 far as we could make out the inscription, from the one half that 

 was present, it was to the effect that a large tract of jungle had 

 been granted to some person, by a Raja who reserved to himself 

 certain privileges : this inscription is evidently very old : I have 

 directed search to be made for the other half. 



20. All these Pillar stones are, however, comparatively modern ; 

 and have yet to exist for a few centuries before they become what 

 is generally understood by the name : they are evidently of a date 



