1835.] Geology of the Bombay Islands. 301 



appear, so that in a theoretical nomenclature, (the esta- 

 blishment of which, it must be admitted, is not for the 

 advantage of science,) not only the varieties of the trap 

 formation should be discriminated, but the whole group 

 should have an appellation, indicative of its production at 

 a distinct period, and under different circumstances, from 

 modern volcanoes. The term subaqueous volcanic rocks, 

 expresses the hypothetical nature of their ejection. 



In the centre of the island are situated the celebrated 

 temples of Salsette, or rather their remains, since they have 

 received great mutilation, not from the influence of natural 

 causes, which from the hardness of the rock of which they 

 are formed, they are calculated in a great measure to with- 

 stand, unlike the polished remnants of Greece and Rome, 

 which are daily dissolving in the very rains which nourish 

 the earth, # but from the hands of barbarous men. 



It is not our purpose to describe them ; it is sufficient to 

 refer to accurate details respecting their appearance and 

 size, which have afforded subject of admiration to nume- 

 rous ages.f They are literally caves in hills, composed of 

 porphyry and amygdaloid, thus differing from the pagodas 

 on the coast of Malabar which consist of black basalt. % 



The Portuguese, who were the first European settlers in 

 this country, justly merit the high degree of reprobation, 

 which has been attached to their conduct, in the destruc- 

 tion of these extraordinary antiquities, for they must have 

 been infatuated with the most determined intention of mu- 

 tilation. The date of this dilapidation may be reckoned 

 about the year 1564, as we learn from the historian of that 

 period ; that D. Antony de Noronha, the 9th Viceroy, and 

 23rd Portuguese governor of India, who succeeded John 

 de Mendo§a in 1564, and held the office till 1567, finding 

 the people incorrigible, notwithstanding the exertions of 



* Davy's Consolations in Travel, Dialogue vi. p. 266. 



\ Gemelli Careri, vol. iii. p. 36. Asiatic Society Trans, vol. iv. Sousa notices 

 a tradition that a subterraneous passage exists between " Canari," and Cambaya, 

 running under the sea, which was the work of Bimilamansa, who was king of all 

 that country in the third century. Others attribute the work to the holy prince 

 Josaphat. F. Antony de Porto, a Franciscan, is said to have travelled for seven 

 days in this passage, without arriving at its termination. Sousa's Asia, torn. ii. 

 258, 395. 



X Sonnerat Voyage aux Indes, torn. ii. c. 4. 



