1865.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 163 



they were thus supported by beams. The roofing in with timber 

 (sal probably) of the top is worthy of further enquiry. All points to 

 extensive restoration." 



The following letter from Major- General Cunningham, communi- 

 cated by the Government of India, was read. 



" Nynee Tal, Vlth July, 1865. 



" I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 

 536 C, dated 27th May, 1865, forwarding copy of a letter No. 156, 

 dated 21st March, from the Secretary of the Asiatic Society, suggest- 

 ing that advantage should be taken of the newly discovered magne- 

 sium light to make photographs of the interiors of the various cave- 

 temples of India which have hitherto been inaccessible to the art of 

 photography. 



"2. The principal cave-temples of India may be divided into the 

 three following distinct groups according # with their geographical 

 position : — 



I. Bombay series, comprising the 

 caves of 



II. Central India series, comprising 

 the caves of 



III. Bengal series, comprising the 

 caves of 



1. 



2. 

 3. 

 4. 

 5. 

 6. 



Elephanta. 



Kanari. 



Ellora. 



Karli. 



Ajanta. 



Junir. 



7. 

 8. 

 9. 



Bag. 



Dhamnar. 



Kholvi. 



10. 

 11. 

 12. 



Barabar, near Gaya. 

 Khandagiri in Cuttack. 

 Mahavellipoor. 



Of these twelve series of caves, I have myself visited five, and I 

 am therefore able to speak of them with more confidence than of the 

 others which I have not seen. But since the receipt of your letter, I 

 have read all the accessible notices of the other cave temples, that I 

 might be able to offer to Government, the best opinion in my power on 

 the interesting subject which has been submitted for my consideration. 



