490 CajH. Grindlay on the Sculptures in the Cave Temples ofEllora. 



before alluded to.* I must here repeat what I have already stated, that all 

 the drawings were made on the spot, and this one in particular, with the 

 most scrupulous attention to accuracy ; and that, so far from magnifying, I 

 fear I have not done justice to the singular grace and beauty of this striking 

 group. 



Of No. 8 I could procure no explanation whatever on the spot ; nor 

 have I succeeded in obtaining any satisfactory conjecture of its meaning. 



The principal figure, which was much mutilated, appears to be drawing 

 an inferior from the jaws of the Makara, a sea monster, surrounded by 

 marine productions : and Makara being the Capricorn of the Hindu Zodiac, 

 -the group may possibly have some occult chronological signification, as 

 Colonel Tod has suggested in his remarks upon my former communication 

 on this subject.! 



The architecture and sculptures of India present a wide and interesting 

 field for research ; and much valuable information on these subjects may be 

 expected from the translation of the Silpa Sdstra, which is said to contain 

 the principles of them, and of other arts and sciences of the Hindus. 



* Amongst tlie sculptures recently presented to the Royal Asiatic Society by Colonel Harriot, 

 there are one or two fiagments of very superior beauty, and approaching nearer to these sculp- 

 ■tures at Ellora than any I have seen in England, 

 ■ t Vol. 11. Parti. 



I 



