THE SEVEN PAGODAS, 



217 



It is a plain cylinder of black stone highly polished, with a 

 hemispherical top, and having the pointed 

 scroll mark, to denote the front (Mukha) 

 turned to the east. There are several lingam 

 stones lying scattered about and scarcely one 

 in its original position undisturbed, except 

 that in No. 1 9 of Madras Survey Map, those in the Atirana- 

 candesvara temple at Saluvankuppam, and perhaps a few more. 

 In the far greater number of instances the lingam socket is 

 vacant and the lingam itself lost. There is an equally remarka- 

 ble absence of the bull Nandi. I only recollect the megalith 

 bull No. 38, and one or two on the shore temple (No. 6), 

 besides those that have been pitched into the sea to help form 

 its breakwater. 



28 



