108 GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES IN MALAYSIA AND ASIA, 



feet, and terminating in a small square pedicel, which may have 

 been an altar. Inside this temple was a very small chamber, 

 which has been much defaced. The entrance is on the western 

 side, and one can still trace the steps loading up to it, though they 

 have been considerably injured by earthquakes. Corresponding 

 with the doorway there is a square niche on each of the four sides 

 of the building, and over each an enormous dragon's head of 

 hideous aspect. Inside the temple there is a deep excavation, 

 and a large square stone with a round hole passing through the 

 centre. This may have been a mortice for an image or an altar 

 of sacrifice ; but it is hard to say, as so many of the images and 

 idols have been carried away. There are traces of images in all 

 the niches, and on the lower terrace from which the temple rises 

 there are two small human figures with drawn swords kneeling on 

 one knee. Besides these are various representations of the 

 'Brahminical divinities of Nandi the bull, and Maha deva known 

 by his trident. The exterior of the building is highly ornamented 

 with cornices and various mythological devices aud representations. 

 No mortar was used, for the stones have been carefully cut and 

 morticed into one another. Throughout Java the stone found in 

 such ruins is trachyte or dolerite, but this is a limestone such as 

 is not now known to exist in Java. The appearance of the stone 

 is darkened by mosses, lichens, and weathering, altogether having 

 an air of great antiquity 



A little further on there are two enormous images of colossal 

 deities. They are exceedingly well executed, and the human 

 portions of the figures are close imitations of nature. They are 

 both well preserved, and cut out of one block of solid dolerite, 

 being about 12 feet high and 9 -feet across the shoulders. They 

 represent men sitting on the right foot, while the left leg is bent 

 up, and gives a rest for the left arm. The hand is extended on a 

 heavy club ornamented will] rings. The right hand is elevated, 

 with the two middle fingers extended like a mediaeval bishop 

 giving a blessing. Over the shoulder is a serpent, worn like a 

 baldric. The head-dress is a turban ornamented with human 

 skulls, the ear pendants are also skulls, and there is a girdle of 



