306 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 59. 



veneration. The dress is decorated in chased work. From the 

 wrists are suspended some ornaments in open and filigree work. On 

 the shoulders, close to the neck, are similar ornaments. The ushnisha 

 is surmounted by a spire. Height, 9 inches. Siam. (Plate 49, 

 fig. 2, Cat. No. 168501, U.S.N.M.) Collected by Gen. John A. 

 Hal derm an. 



34. Buddha or Bodhisattva. — Bronze, richly gilded and chased. 

 Seated on a rock, western fashion; that is, both legs pendant (the 

 "Mai trey a pose"), with the hands resting in the lap. The dress 

 is adorned as in No. 33. On the left of the seat a baby elephant is 

 holding up a vessel with water for Buddha to drink, on the right a 

 bear cub is presenting a honey comb. Fine specimen of bronze 

 work. Height, S|- inches. Laos, Further India. (Plate 49, fig. 3, 

 Cat. No. 217535, U.S.N.M.) 



35. Buddha. — Old bronze. Seated in meditation. Heavy and 

 careless casting. Height, 10£ inches. Laos, Further India. Cat- 

 No. 217507, U.S.N.M.) 



36. Buddha. — Wood, red lacquered and gilt. Standing on the lotus, 

 with the arms hanging flat on the sides. Rude work. Height, 9f 

 inches. Laos, Further India. (Cat. No. 217579, U.N.S.M.) 



37. Buddha. — Wood, lacquered and gilt. Similar to the pre- 

 ceding No. 36. On the base is an inscription. Height, 9^ inches. 

 Laos, Further India. (Cat. No. 217581, U.S.N.M.) 



38. Buddha. — Carved, of ivory and gilt. Standing with the pos- 

 ture of the arms the same as in No. 36. Height, 6 inches. Laos, 

 Further India. (Cat. No. 217629, U.S.N.M.) 



39. Buddha and the earth goddess. — In two parts. On the upper 

 portion Buddha seated in meditation. The top of his head is 

 covered with a head dress resembling a stupa. Beneath, on the 

 base, is represented, in high relief, the goddess of the earth wringing 

 her hair. In the contest of Mara with Buddha, when the latter in- 

 voked the earth goddess as witness for his merits (see p. 300), the 

 goddess, squeezing her hair, caused a huge river to issue therefrom, 

 which swept away Mara and his hordes. Wood, lacquered and 

 gilt. Height, 9 inches. Laos, Further India. (Plate 50, fig. 1, 

 Cat. No. 217559, U.S.N.M.) 



40. Buddha and the nngas. — Bronze relief, representing Buddha 

 seated in a shrine in the witness attitude. This is set in a lacquered 

 and gilt wooden plaque which is framed by eight intertwined nagas. 

 The nagas belong to the category of demigods in the syncretistic 

 system of later Buddhism. They are serpents having the power to 

 assume human form, fabled to reside under the Trikuta rocks sup- 

 porting Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Buddhist cos- 

 mology, and also in rivers, lakes, etc., watching over treasures, 

 causing rain and certain maladies, and becoming dangerous when in 

 anger. They have been converted by Buddha and showed great 



