183S.] Mmoi'andum regarding Syriaii or Cylinder Roofs, 3Sl 



«^th Tiruvilliadel— verse 3S* 

 ^(sii^^^^QeJdvr^ ^uiS}^!Bi<stnl.L^ ^i£}irih^^^0ir&rsDn&st 



The only part which needs to be interpreted is that the Pandyan 

 king is designated « the Lord of Gorrkai situated at a ford of the rives 

 iPorunei" {hodic Tombrapoorny).. 



llh'—Memoraridum regarding Syrian or Cylinder Roofs, — By Cap^ 

 iain George Underwood, Madras Engineers* 



This description of roof, without any wood-work, is composed 

 entirely of hollow earthen-ware cylinders (formed on the wheel) 

 which are about 9 inches long, 5, 5|, or 6 inches diameter at the 

 larger end, and about 3 or 3i inches diameter at the smaller. 

 They much resemble in shape a quart bottle with the neck cut off, 

 the bottom being flat. The smaller diameter of these cylinders must 

 of course vary according to the nature of the curve, very large semi- 

 circular spans or segments of large circles requiring a less diminution 

 than when the arcs are small. The centreings being prepared (and 

 very common ones are sufficient), having commenced the intended 

 arch with solid brick and chunam on the two side walls of the room, 

 and having raised these portions to a height of about 3 feet or about 

 s of the curve on either side, so as to form solid haunches, the 

 hollow cylinders are laid side by side in chunam along the length of 

 the room with their small ends pointing inwards. On these^ in the 

 intervals between every two well imbedded in chunam, another row 

 is tiow laid, and so on row on row (both sides of the arch rising 

 equally), till the last course forced in on the top completes the whole* 

 This last line of cylinders of course is vertical, and care must be taken 

 toing the construction to press every row well against the centreings 



