SHIRAZ TO PERSEPOLIS. 
135 
elusions: I observed, in the first place, that there were two orders of 
columns, distinct in their capitals as well as in their height, and that, 
of the highest, two rows were severally placed at the E. and W. extre¬ 
mities of the hall. 
Between these and the mass of columns of less height and a dif¬ 
ferent capital is the space on either side of one row, in which, 
however, no trace whatever of bases exists, and through which run 
the channels of aqueducts. The remainder in the centre consists of 
six columns in front, and composes with the four exterior rows a 
line of ten columns; each row contains in depth six bases, forming, 
with the twelve at the entrance, a grand total of seventy-two. On 
drawing out a plan of this arrangement, I find that it is symmetrical in 
all its points, and in every way in which I can view it satisfies my ima¬ 
gination; but, on comparing it with that laid down by Niebuhr, 
my own conceptions have accorded so exactly with those of that great 
traveller on this, (as well as on the ichnography of the general remains) 
that the introduction of my sketch becomes unnecessary. 
On one of the highest columns is the remains of the sphinx, so com¬ 
mon in all the ornaments at Persepolis; and I could distinguish on the 
summit of every one a something quite unconnected with the capitals. 
The high columns have, strictly speaking, no capitals whatever, being 
each a long shaft to the very summit, on which the sphinx rests. The 
capitals of the lesser columns are of a complicated order, composed of 
many pieces. I marked three distinct species of base. The shafts are 
fluted in the Doric manner, but the flutes are more closely fitted toge¬ 
ther. Their circumference is sixteen feet seven inches. Some of their 
bases have a square plinth, the side of one of which I measured, and 
found it to be seven feet; the diameter of the base was five feet four 
inches, diameter of columns four feet two inches, distance from centre 
of base to the next centre twenty-eight feet. To the Eastward of one 
of these, and close at the foot of one of the highest columns, are the 
fragments of an immense figure. The head and part of the fore-legs I 
could easily trace; the head appeared to me more like that of a lion. 
