248 Foreign Notices in Mineralogy, &c. 
ancient fortress of Dowlatabad, as when first cut. Are not 
traces of the pointed chissel to be seen upon the granite an- 
tiquities of Egypt ? 
Having by these two instruments only, brought the stone 
toa smooth surface, it next undergoes the dressing with 
water, in the manner usual with masons. It now only re- 
pi seal to apply the black shining polish, which is done as 
oll 
A block of granite of considerable size, is usually fashioned 
into the shape of the end of a large pes 
of this is hollowed out into a cavity, and this is filled with a 
mass composed of pounded corundum stone, mixed with 
melted bees-wax. This block is moved by means of two 
sticks, or pieces of bamboo, placed one on each side of its 
neck, and bound together by cords, twisted and tightened 
by sticks. The weightof the whole is as much as two work- 
men can easily manage. They seat themselves upon, or 
given by the | of the mass of wax and corundum. 
Granite iniuhed in.this way is the most common material 
of which the tomb-stones of princes and great men in India 
both to ancient Indian monuments,* and to the observations 
* In the end of the sear 1794, [ had an opportunity of ating ioe ancient 
city of Warankul, an seeing a granite gateway, standing within the 
bounds of the pales aie ef Back polish of which diipidareld to have lost 
nothi Hie qrGinAl lenis. en, ee the only remains of the royal 
residence ere told bed shen originally one ct Grae les similar ga! gee 
which Ted inte et into a ig we into the interior of the palace. eae hi 
for the sake of the materials. This beautiful peepigean de- 
Rs gg in ntioned for the very durable naneitorinseaede 
constructed, The stones were fitted to each other most accurately, so that 
oh joinings were modern marble chimney piece ; and 
no mortar or — A ES pains P it seemed perfect- 
ip. cae beth emiaes the attacks of vegetation and the influences ofthe 
weather. But for these Sel es, it would not have escaped being at- 
tacked Me 4 seeds yan tree, and would probably have been en- 
tirely subverted long before the time of my seeing it. On the contrary, it 
seemed quite secure from the attacks of this irresistible enemy of Indian 
e gateway in question could therefore scarcely have been les? 
chaise Senta, and might probably have been considerably older. 
re a EEE CO 
