ANTIQUITIES AND PLANTS OF INDIA. 



353 



rently either for the Date or the cocoa ; and in consideration of the 

 distance from the sea, probably for the Date : also, a plant in many 

 respects resembling the Pmidanus. 

 Series of saints, are equally represented in the vaulted caves ; where, 

 however, there is a manifest change in style in the paintings. The 

 figures of men, are numerous, and they have the hair and beard 

 straight, and the brunette complexion; and some individuals, wear 

 a striped garment hanging over one shoulder ; while others, are 

 clothed in white, and others again, in long red robes. — One of 

 these vaulted caves, contains remnants of inscriptions ; the charac- 

 ters, (some of which are partially obliterated,) being, in one instance, 



traced with black paint, and in another, with white. These in- 

 scriptions appeared interesting, from being possibly coeval with 

 the original construction : and I have therefore inserted copies. 

 Inscriptions in the ' cave character,' are peculiar to the Budhist 

 caves; but the above being excepted, all that are known, are sculp- 

 tured. A sculptured inscription in the ' cave character,' occurs on 

 the outside of one of the caves at Adjunta: and a copy of a portion 

 of it, is inserted below. 



b. The Braminical Caves. 



The Braminical Caves, may be readily distinguished, by the evi- 

 dences of Polytheism ; and by the presence of many-handed and 

 many-headed personages; Budha himself, being represented in the 

 Braminical pantheon, as liaving three pairs of hands. 



Certain representations, are common to both classes of the Indian 

 caves; such as, those of the Nelumbium; the Nymphaja; the cobra; 

 chowries; lions; monkeys; buffaloes; elephants, (which in all'ln- 

 stances are ridden without howdah or saddle); the goose; perhaps 

 one of the antelopes ; umbrella-bearers; women wearing armlets and 

 anklets; and men wearing the belt or sash. 



On the other hand, tlie following particulars, seemed to be peculiar 



89 



