149 



supposed to contain, or to be the essence, of the great father of all ; 

 and from this arose the double character of the pillar-stone, which it 

 possesses in common with the obelisk. As a cone, both Eusebius 

 and Proclus declare that it represented the earth ; but in its pyra- 

 midal form — spirit — for the pyramid allegorised the mundane soul 

 which Plato says has the form of a pyramid,* and hence is derived 

 its third or funereal character. ' 



Stones of this nature abound in India, and have been frequently 

 observed by travellers, but one instance out of the many will suffice. 

 The god of the tribe Baydaru is a lofty mass of granite, placed on 

 the apex of a low hill ; underneath it there is a natural cave, in 

 which is also placed a rude stone, emblematic of the god above : 

 here once a year all the Baydaru resort to make their offerings, and 

 eat consecrated food.-f- Many similar stones also exist in Persia, 

 as that already described within the ruins of Dardb-gird. And a 

 remarkable pillar stone near Tang-i-kerm, slightly tapering, about 

 eleven feet high, and three feet and a half square at the bottom ; 

 the top is hollowed like a bowl ;;{: and on one side, contained in a 

 sunken circle, is an inscription in Palalivi ; a space round this 

 stone is enclosed by a low rude wall composed of rough stones of 

 great size ; within about two hundred yards of the pillar a clear 

 spring rises, which supplies a large bason. This monument was 

 shewn as a fire-altar, and the hollow receptacles on the top 



Heliogabalus was a pyramidal stone. Juggernaut in India is also a pyramidal stone; and in all 

 the sanctum sanctorums of the Indian cavern temples is found a pyramidal stone. Class. Jour, 

 No. LV. p. 50. Maurice Ind. Antiq. II. p. 162. — Amber signifies solar or divine, hence th6 

 peasantry call the pillars of Stonehenge Amber-stones. — Indian Antiquities, vi. p. 111. 

 * Essay on the Pyramids of Egypt. Class. Jour. No. LV. 51. 



|- Buchanan's Journey, I. p. 359. - 



X The pillar stone of Kilgowan, county of Kildare, has on the top a hollow like this Persian 

 column Anth. Hib. I. p. 284. , 



