284 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [August, 1909. 
remained for two days. During that time they examined 
every hole and corner of the place with the greatest care. 
Finally they entered one of the tombs above the platform, 
In one they discovered two figures: an embalmed mummy; 
and a metal statue ornamented with different kinds of precious 
stones. These they extracted from the great stone chest, and 
carefully packed in boxes. They then obtained ten armed men 
the men of the guard discovered what was contained in the 
and forbade their departure. Finally his objections were te- 
moved by the exercise of suitable bribes, and the travellers 
carried off their booty. A few days later news of what h 
IV. 
THe CHARKH-I-ALMAS, OR DIAMOND WHEEL. 
if 
Whilst in the vicinity of Persepolis I was frequently told 
by the villagers about the Charkh-i-Almas, or the Diamond 
Wheel; but, long before the neighbourhood was reached, and 
even before I-had entered Fars, enough had been heard to 
excite my curiosity on the subject. Be it said that below the 
great platform at Persepolis are numerous underground 
sage had been silted up and that they could not proceed further 
than they did without crawling on their hands and knees, and 
that they did not feel inclined to attempt, as, in addition to 
the mud and wet, the air was very bad, which was evident 
