434 MOSAIC OF AGRA. 



wearing clown of this softer matrix, presenting a curious and pretty appear- 

 ance. An easy mode of dissecting this limestone is afforded by placing a 

 piece of it in dilated muriatic acid, which dissolves the pure carbonate of 

 lime of the shells with great rapidity, leaving the spaces empty in which 

 they were previously enclosed. The shells are much broken, and I found 

 it difficult to determine whether there are any of the genera Solen or Mya 

 amongst them.* 



The shells of the variegated limestone are less distinct, the stone itself 

 being more compact and containing enclosed pieces of clay slate: they may 

 however be sometimes satisfactorily ascertained to be of the same genus, 

 Cardium ; it contains a smaller quantity of carbonate of lime : but the same 

 peculiarities from wearing down exist, and it may be dissected with equal 

 ease by the aid of the acid. 



I have been informed that these marbles come from Guzerat but whether 

 that is their habitat 1 cannot tell. From the looseness of their component 

 parts, and want of compactness, I think they are tertiary limestones, possi- 

 bly of modern origin, like those in the vicinity of Pondicherry. 



The whole of these stones and marbles are said to have been the produce 

 of commuted tribute, or to have been received as gifts from tributary pow- 

 ers ; but the labour bestowed on polishing and giving the exact shape to 

 such hard materials, must have been immense, and forms the distinguishing 

 feature of this magnificent work. 



*»• 



A single flower in the screen around the tombs, or sarcophagi, contains a 

 hundred stones, each cut to the exact shape necessary, and highly polish- 

 ed ; and in the interior alone of the building there are several hundred 

 flowers, each containing a like number of stones. 



* I do not think these limestones are at present imported into As;ra; they are procured, for the 

 purposes of the artist from the numerous ruined tombs and mesj ids with which this district is covered. 



