Ceylon.

carved from a single stone , is arranged round the margin of the platform . The capital , of the tvvo first TOAVS are ornamented along their upper edge with grotesque squatti ' ™ hgures , with arms upraised , as though supporting a Avei ght resting on their heads the third row has eagles standing upright Avith outstretched Avings ; and the fourth or outer row is ornamented in a similar manner Avith quaint dAvarfed figures in every conceivablo positionThe tops of all the columns

. below the capitals , which are also octagonal are ornamented with a fringe and tassels of very graceful design , those on the ° outer columns being of a very different pattern from those on the three inner TOAVS The height of the inner row of columns is twenty-four feet , the second tAventy-tAvo feet the third nineteen feet , and the outer row ( all monoliths ) fourteen feet . Between the thn-d and fourth rows of columns there was evidently a wall , no longer in existence the stone foundation of Avhich , slightly raised above the rest of the naveme . ut P ™ , '

very easily traced . The TOAVS of columns round the Dagoba are arranged in quadrants so as to form a rather broad passage to each of the cardinal points of the Dagoba Avhere there was probably an altar close to its base , where those who came to worship at the sacred _ shrine laid then- offerings of floAvers , or articles of value dedicated to the use ot the priesthood . Nothing of these altars now remains except a bold moulding of stone above the level of the pavement from Avhich the stonework of these altars spruU but that they did exist is made the

more probable from the fact that similar altars exist in a more or less ruinous state at the Lankrama Dagoba , which , though smaller , Avas built after the model of the Thuparame . At the east and Avest sides of the building are fane sets of stone stairs reaching to the platform , fourteen feet above the ground the steps having been ornamented with carved stones , and wing Avails , now thrown down , Avhich were finished off with flat stone slabs richly carved with figures , bearing boAvls or vases containing the sacred lotus flowers . These carved stone slabs still remain m position , but some are broken . O pposite the landing of these steps , and m a hne with the foundation of the circular Avail , which is sunnosed to ha . ™ ™«

encircled ; the Dagoba , will be found a double step , carved out of one block of stonr and morticed above to receive the stone door frame , Avhich once formed the entrar and this goes further to favour the supposition of a Avail having previously er The object of these beautiful stone pillars and wall was undoubtedly to sustain a . nifacent conical roof , which Avould have covered the whole of the Dagoba The int . of this roof , the Dagoba , columns , Avails both inside and out , altars , and , in fact , even thing about the buddingmust have ori

, ginally been most gorgeously painted . That it was so is pretty clearly proved by the recent excavations most carefully made both here and m other places Avhere thin coatings of very fine plaster are found covering the stone and bnclavork , with traces of bri ght colours . At the Ruamveli Dagoba some fine paintings have been brought to li ght . The hei ght of the Thuparame is sixty-two and a half feet , from the pavement at its base , the diameter of the base fifty-nine feet , and the lower part of the plain bell thirty-three feet . "