20 Ancient Javanese Remains. [No. I, 



Besides these figures, both the base of the superstructure and the 

 walls of the basement terrace are abundantly sculptured with fantastic 

 subjects. The former is formed into panels of scroll work, the 

 centre of each being a different animal, including the elephant, 

 parrot, braminee goose, stork, deer, buffalo, &c. In the latter, the 

 patterns are alternately of scroll and diaper (See Fig. 3.) The sides 

 of the staircase have been sculptured more rudely with scenes of 

 domestic life, the chase, and other incidents. One of them quaintly 

 represents the old fable of a tortoise carried through the air by two 

 wild geese. In the porch adjoining the entrance, on each side are 

 corresponding groups, one of a man with the brahminical thread, the 

 other of a woman with a child, each surrounded by boys engaged 

 in gathering fruit which others shake down from the trees overhead. 



Above these are rows of female figures kneeling towards the shrine, 

 and presenting offerings. 



Passing from Munddt about 2\ miles to the N. W. across the 

 river Progo, and noting by the road side a small ancient temple of 

 the same character, which has been caught in the embrace of a large 

 cotton-tree, and is being gradually upheaved by its roots and buttress- 

 es, we came in sight of Boro Bodor rising like a half-finished 

 pyramid on the top of a hill about 130 or 140 feet high, and backed 

 by the roots of the great Sumbing, which was itself (alas) invisible, 

 excepting now and then when for a few moments his vast cone peeped 

 forth above the clouds and 11,021 feet above the sea. 



A good carriage drive ascends the hill to the base of the building, 

 and passes beyond it to a spacious bungalow or rest-house shaded by 

 a grove of trees. Scattered and fallen sculptured stones and Bud- 

 dhas have been gathered together and ranged along the avenues of 

 approach. Evidently now there is no neglect of this singular and 

 magnificent monument. But no efforts, I fear, can prevent its decay 

 from proceeding with accelerated speed. 



It is scarcely possible to find a point of view from which a sketch 

 would give a true idea of this structure, and the best notion of it is 

 to be got from the plates in Raffles and Crawfurd. Indeed the first 

 near view of Boro Bodor is disappointing. It appears to be far more 

 ruined than it was in the days when Baffles described it, and at first 

 sight it seems little better than a vast and shapeless cairn of stones, 

 with here and there a dome and pinnacle discernible. 



