62 
PANDA VULA METTA. 
blance to the device of the Pandyan kings is purely acci- 
dental. It is possible, however, that the slab may have been 
selected originally because of its shape. The upright sup- 
ports of the horizontal slab are uncut oblong stones, selected 
from among the numerous smaller slabs which cover the 
hill-side. To the south is an entrance, over which, along 
the upper edge of the horizontal slab, a channel of some 
depth has been cut in the stone for the purpose of carrying 
off the water that would otherwise drip down into the door- 
way. Along the higher side of the floor of the cromlech, 
within the line of upright slabs, are similar channels. There 
is no soil in the immediate vicinity of the cromlech, and it 
has evidently never been covered with earth. The entire 
structure is, however, encircled by a row of holes cut into 
the surface rock of the hill at distances of a yard or two 
from one another. These holes are circular, and, with the 
exception of the water-channels already described, are the 
only rock-cuttings about the cromlech. I am of opinion that 
this cromlech was constructed for and used as a human 
dwelling. The channel above the doorway to carry off the 
roof water, that along the higher side of the floor to keep 
the cromlech dry within, and the surrounding row of holes 
or sockets for pillars upon which thatch or other covering 
could be laid to protect the inmates from the fierce storms 
that sweep this valley in the months of April and May, 
seem to indicate indubitably the purpose and use of the 
structure. 
On four other hills in the vicinity are similar cromlechs 
of smaller size, with similar rock- cuttings, and evidently 
constructed for a like purpose. lu one instance, on the high 
hill near Sai/dda, where three huge rocks have fallen upon 
one another in such a manner as to form a tiiangular central 
cavity with three side-outlets and an opening above, a flat 
slab has been placed upon the latter to shut out the rain, 
while around the whole runs a circle of holes in the rocky 
