126 



Architectural Remains. [No. 11, new sebies. 



which the large temple is built is grey granite, and the idols seem 

 to me to be carved out of hornblende or some such hard material, 

 but I cannot give much of an opinion on such a matter. 



14. The different oratories or subsidiary temples are very nu- 

 merous, and in nearly all are there idols more or less elaborately 

 carved, generally one to each shrine. 



15. Some of these carvings are the finest I have ever seen in 

 stone, the God is generally standing, with an elegantly cut canopy 

 over his head, and the detailed execution of some of these canopies 

 (idol block, and canopy being all one piece) is really astonishing. 



16. I have brought several inscription slabs to light, and I am 

 now getting one brought down to Honore by water so that I may 

 have it deciphered if possible by some Pundit, and if this cannot 

 be done I will have a tracing made. 



17. What I now wish to know is whether or not the Govern- 

 ment are desirous of having any of the images sent to Madras or 

 to Bombay to be placed in the Museums, or if they wish me to 

 collect the now scattered images and arrange them in and about 

 the Chutter Muck. 



18. If left as they now are they will in time of course disap- 

 pear ; but if I am ordered to remove any of them I request the 

 Brahmins in the temple there may be cautioned to offer me no 

 obstruction, or they will to a certainty claim everything as their 

 own. 



19. I have not yet found any coins, but I shall still endeavour 

 to do so. 



20. Some of perhaps the best idols are much too heavy for 

 removal and the only way to manage with them is to have them 

 photographed, if this could be managed without much trouble ; 

 but if any photographer be sent he should come at once, for the 

 rains are not now far off. 



21. I have only further to observe that it is quite impossible to 

 arrive at any conclusion as to the origin or cause of decay of this 

 city from enquries now instituted \ we must decipher the old in- 



