1834.] by General Ventura at Mdnikydh. 317 



reverse resembles the Lantsu,or pointed variety of the Nagari Alpha- 

 bet, of which we have specimens from Nipal and Tibet. The words 



visible are Sri yag 



Obverse. A raj£, coated, his disproportionate left hand seems to hold the hook 

 before remarked ; the hair is disposed in curls ; on the right is a symbol resembling 

 a tree, but it may probably be the sleeve of the right arm. 



Reverse. I have little doubt that this rude figure represents a female standing, 

 with flowing drapery ; the head and face are out of the die, but the breast and 

 waist on comparison with other coins of the same type (for they are plentiful), 

 fully bear out this conclusion. 



The contents of this first box are peculiarly valuable, not only from 

 the variety of coins here discovered to be contemporaneous, but from 

 the presence of the Sassanian coin, which brings the epoch of the 

 structure within cognate limits, unless indeed a dynasty of fire- 

 worshippers reigned in these parts previous to the formation of the 

 last Persian monarchy by Artaxerxes in a. d. 223 : but we must post- 

 pone all speculations, and proceed with our description of the works. 



The above box and its contents were found in their natural position, 

 as deposited at the base of the square stone block of masonry which 

 terminated there : (I am uncertain however whether the French text 

 will bear the interpretation I have given, or whether the square is not 

 a hollow square or chamber "onatrouve un carre parf ait a douze pieds, 

 tres bien etabli au centre, bati regulierement en pierres de taill? et tres 

 bien conserve : — apres avoir creuse dix pieds, &c." and afterwards " le 

 toutau bas du carre dont la batisse reguliere s'est terminee la.") 



On the 12th May, the perforation had reached thirty-six feet, when 

 another copper coin presented itself. 



On the 22nd May, as it was imagined that nothing more would be 

 found in the centre of the cupola, on account of the termination of the 

 square building, an opening was made on the northern side, of the 

 height of six feet, and twelve broad : the excavations were pushed for- 

 ward at both points. 



On the 25th May, a depth of 45 feet had been attained, when on 

 lifting up a large quarried stone, another similarly squared stone was 

 found underneath, having in its centre a round hole ; in the middle of 

 this hole there lay deposited a copper box, somewhat similar in form 

 to the gold one just described : it was perforated on opposite sides, 

 (Fig. 12,) where apparently handles had been soldered on. The lid was 

 decayed. Inside this box were found, Fig. 13, a little piece of cloth. 

 Fig. 14. A circular crystal drop, and 

 Fig. 15. A small cylinder of pure gold. (Whatever relic may have 



been in the gold cylinder has been lost.) 

 . 27th May. On this day, at the depth of 54 feet, another copper 

 coin was turned up. 



