_The Dodo in Ceylon_ (Vol. vii., p. 188.).--The bird which SIR J.
EMERSON TENNENT identifies with the dodo is common on Ceylonese
sculpture. The natives say it is now extinct, and call it the
_Hangsiya_, or sacred goose; but whether deemed sacred for the same
reason as the Capitoline goose, or otherwise, I must leave the author of
_Eleven Years in Ceylon_ to explain, he being the person in this country
most conversant with Ceylonese mythology.
I now wish to call SIR EMERSON'S attention to a coincidence that may be
worthy his notice in connexion with his forthcoming work on Ceylon.
If he will take the trouble to examine the model of the Parthenon, in
the Elgin Marble room of the British Museum, he cannot fail, to be
struck with its resemblance to the beautiful building he visited at
Polonaroowa, called the Jaitoowanarama. The dimensions of the respective
buildings I cannot at present ascertain; but the ground-plans are
precisely similar, and each was roofless. But the most striking
resemblance is in the position and altitude of the statues: that of the
gigantic Bhoodho is precisely similar, even in the posture of the right
arm and hand, to that of Minerva, the masterpiece of Phidias. On
consulting his notes, he may find the height of the statues to
correspond. That of Phidias was thirty-nine feet.