424 
island then belonging to the Mahrattas, we obtained a passport 
from the Pundit for our journey; and crossing a narrow arm of 
the sea which divides Bombay from Salselte, proceeded in palan- 
quins towards the caves. Our party consisted of six English gen- 
tlemen, a small escort, and numerous attendants; which were as 
necessary on this excursion as in the former journey in the Con- 
can, from being obliged to carry beds, provisions, and every thing 
wanted, on the heads of the villagers. 
The first part of the road was through salt marshes and rice- 
fields, with few trees, or interesting objects: at sun-set we ascended 
a pleasant hill, and took up our quarters in a Portugueze church, 
near an extensive lake, bordered by mango-trees: the priest did 
every thing for our accommodation, partook of our supper, and at 
midnight left us to repose in his spacious dormitory. 
At day-break next morning we renewed our journey to ano- 
ther church, five miles from the principal excavation: the country 
improved in beauty and fertility; its produce chiefly consisting 
of rice- fields, mango groves, and palmyra trees. After breakfast 
we proceeded towards mountains of difficult ascent, through 
narrow rocky paths rendered almost impervious by thickets and 
jungle grass; through which our palanquin bearers could not pene- 
trate, and we finished the journey on foot. 
At noon we reached the great temple, excavated at some dis- 
tance from the summit of a steep mountain, in a commanding 
situation. This stupendous work is upwards of ninety feet long, 
thirty-eight wide, and of a proportionable height, hewn out of the 
solid rock; and forming an oblong square, with a fluted concave 
roof: the area is divided into three aisles by regular colonnades; 
