A 26 'SOME ACCOUNT OF THE CAVE 



Each side oi this niche is supported by a gigantic 

 figure leaning on a dwarf, as in the drawing. 



A niche of considerable dimensions, and crowded 

 with figures, on either side the former; in the middle 

 of the niche, on the right, stands a gigantic figure, 

 apparently female, but with one bye a st only. This fi- 

 gure has four arms, the foremost right hand is leaning 

 on the head of a bull, the other grasps a Cobra de Ca- 

 ■pella, while a circular shield is observed in the inner 

 left hand; the head is richly ornamented; on the right 

 stands a male, bearing a pronged instrument, resem- 

 bling a trident • on the left is a female, holding a mace 

 or sceptre; near the principal is a beautiful youth on 

 an elephant; above this is a figure with four heads ? 

 supported by swans or geese ; and opposite is a male 

 with four arms, mounted on the shoulders of another, 

 having a sceptre in one of the hands. At the top of 

 the niche small figures in different attitudes are ob- 

 served, seemingly supported by clouds. 



The most conspicuous of the group on the niche 

 to the left, is a male near seventeen feet in height, 

 with four arms ; on the "'left stands a female about- 

 fifteen feet high. The same circular rings worn by the 

 present Hindu women, are observed on the legs and 

 wrists of this figure ; the hair bears a like correspond- 

 ence in the mode of putting it up; the countenance 

 is peculiarly soft, and expressive of gentleness. In the 

 back ground, a figure with four heads, supported by 

 birds, and one with four arms, on the shoulders of 

 another, are also observed. Several smaller figures in 

 attendance : one with the right knee bent to theground, 



in 



