1853.] Description of MolizarMiala in Western Huzara. 385 



should rather describe as decrescents, one over the right head 

 and two over the left. In size, the heads would be better suited to a 

 colossus of 10 feet. The ears, eyes, nose and even the fingers were 

 almost worn off. The figure had been originally highly polished ; 

 now a good deal worn and covered with a green vegetable scum. 



The floor of the cave was level, except in one place, about 3 feet 

 from the idol, where there was a hollow about two yards round. This 

 was the spot where sacrifices used formerly to be made, and even then 

 it was found filled with ashes and traces of recent fire. 



On either side at about three yards from the great idol, were two 

 smaller ones, both single-headed and two-armed, but otherwise, in 

 rudeness and disproportion, resembling the chief idol. 



The chief idol was said to represent Moh and his wife Mabun, 

 formerly the gods of those regions, and even still reverenced by the 

 half-converted Musalmans of the country. No one dares enter the 

 caves with shoes on, and the marks of recent fire show still stronger 

 signs of remaining veneration. 



The other two caves, whose mouths had been lately blocked up, 

 were dedicated — one to Sheh or Seh, the destroyer, the other to Zhei, 

 the god of fire. 



About four miles further on, it is said, that there were two other 

 caves since become inaccessible, dedicated to Hersh and Maul. 



At each new moon a fire-offering is made before the cave of Zhei 

 by some of the Therba tribe, who retain more of paganism than 

 Islam ; and these people reckon their time by moons, instead of 

 years. 



Descending to the western limit of the valley, the high cliff for 

 the space of 2 or 300 yards was perforated with small holes, like a 

 rabbit-warren. This was the site of Moh's treasure. The holes 

 are made by the natives digging for it, and they frequently succeed 

 in finding small beads of gold and stone known by the name of Soly- 

 mani Dana, or Solomon's grain. The beads were for the most part 

 agate or jasper, all more or less corroded and dimmed in colour, as if 

 by fire ; they were all bored. The golden grains had just the ap- 

 pearance of the little masses of gold which are made by gold-washers 

 from the first melting of their amalgam and gold-dust ; about the 

 size of wheat grains. 



