rance.

Several of the columns have been levelled, and the figures mutilated, as I am informed, by the Portuguese, who were at the trouble (and no small one) of dragging cannon up the hill, for the better execution of this exploit.-Destructive Superstition seeks not for merit; she commits to the flames and to destruction, members of a community most valuaable, and structures doing honour to human ability!

THE wall at the upper end of the cave is crowded with sculpture; the attention is first arrested by a grand bust, representing a being with three heads; the middle face is presented full, and expresses a dignified composure; the head and neck splendidly covered with ornaments. The face on the left is in profile, and the head-dress rich; in one of the hands is a flower, in the other a fruit resembling a pomegranate; a ring like that worn by the Hindus at present is observed on one of the wrists; the expresson of the countenance by no means unpleasant. Different is the head on the right; the face is in profile, the forehead projects, the eye stares; snakes supply the place of hair, and the representation of a human scull is conspicuous on the covering of the head; one hand grasps a monstrous Cobra de Capella (the hooded snake) the other a smaller; the whole together calculated to strike terror into the beholder. The height of this bust is about eighteen feet, and the breadth of the middle face about four; but the annexed drawing of this piece of sculpture will give a better idea of it perhaps than words.

VOL. IV.

3-I

EACH

EACH side of this niche is supported by a gigantic figure leaning on a dwarf, as in the drawing.

A NICHE of considerable dimensions, and crowded with figures on either side the former; in the middle of the niche, on the right, stands a gigantic figure, apparently female, but with one breast only. This figure has four arms, the foremost right hand is leaning on the head of a bull, the other grasps a Cobra de Capella, while a circular shield is observed in the inner left hand; the head is richly ornamented; on the right stands a male, bearing a pronged instrument, resembling a trident; on the left is a female, holding a mace or sceptre; near the principal is a beautiful youth on an elephant; above this is a figure with four heads, supported by swans or geese; and opposite is a male with four arms, mounted on the shoulders of another, having a sceptre in one of the hands. At the top of The niche small figures in different attitudes are oberved, seemingly supported by clouds.

THE most conspicuous of the group on the niche to the left, is a male near seventeen feet in height, with four arms; on the left stands a female about fifteen feet high. The same circular rings worn by the present Hindu women, are observed on the legs and wrists of this figure: the hair bears a like correspondence in the mode of putting it up; the countenance is peculiarly soft, and expressive of gentleness. In the back ground, a figure with four heads, supported by birds, and one with four arms, on the shoulders of another, are also observed. Several smaller figures in attendance: one with the right knee bent to the ground,