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will be necessary, and the cost of these is so great that the observatory 
will have to wait. Substantial work has been done in chemistry, 
but far too little has yet been achieved in the direction of 
anthropology, and the cave-dwelling veddas might well receive more 
attention. Folklore has received no adequate attention, the only 
satisfactory effort being that of Mr. E. B. Denham, Assistant 
Government Agent of Mannar, who is at work on a series of notes on 
the folklore of that district. 
Archaeology is too big a subject to go into at this time of the evening. 
Excellent work tas been done by the Archaeological Commission started 
by Governor Sir Arthur Gordon in 1890, Mr. BelFs record of work 
being extraordinarily creditable. Kegalla, Anuradhapura, Siginya, and 
Polonnaruwa have been the chief scenes of the Commission's labours; 
and rightly so, for they are the principal centres of archaeological inter- 
est in the Island. But we must remember that the work is still almost in 
its infancy, and that a vast field for archaeological research still remains 
to be opened up. In our archaeological work we are dealing — and it is a 
rather unusual state of things — with the monuments of a still surviving 
religion. Therefore it behoves us to move with caution ; and I believe 
that we habitually do so move. We are, as reverently as may be, 
unburying the long-hidden monuments of a great religion. Many 
generations of the professors of that religion have left these monuments 
buried, and done nothing — perhaps they could do nothing — to prevent 
their further decay. Then we undertook the work, partly for our 
own information, but at least as much for the benefit of our Buddhist 
fellow-subjects. This, I think, the Buddhists should reckon to our 
credit. 
On the subject of the Zoological Gardens I must not dwell. As 
you know, it has been much talked of for some time past. The project 
has my warmest sympathy, and I am hopeful that the idea of 
establishing Zoological Gardens in the Island may some day be realized. 
Such gardens should prove of the greatest interest to natives and 
visitors alike. 
Before I close this imperfect sketch of the scientific activities of the 
Island I must say a word on their relation to the Asiatic Society. For 
these activities the Asiatic Society should be a centre and a rallying 
point. The Society should, I think, devote more of its time and 
energies to scientific subjects particularly connected with the Colony, 
fostering them and co-ordinating them by all the assistance it can give. 
8. A vote of thanks to the President, proposed by the Hon. Mr. S. 
C. Obeyesekere and seconded by Mr. C. M. Fernando, concluded the 
Proceedings of the Meeting. 
