COLOSSAL BULLS. 
587 
the drawing, will give a tolerably correct idea of its sublime 
appearance. The one wall is distant from the other about 
twelve feet, and the intervening space finely flagged with 
x beautifully polished slabs cut from the neighbouring rock. In 
having thus described one side, I need only say that the other 
corresponds to it exactly. On both, I am sorry to say, I found 
a cloud of initials, and names, and dates, of former visitants to 
the spot, to the no small injury of the fine surface of the stone. 
In the very learned and distinguished observations made on 
the remains of Persepolis by Professor Heeren, I have found 
cause to remark, in more than one instance, how that gentleman 
has been led astray by the incorrect manner in which travellers 
have copied these bas-reliefs. I am certain that if he were to be 
standing on this platform, and viewing the portal, he would im¬ 
mediately pronounce that the two colossal animals which support 
the portal, are bulls, and in no way resembling the monociros 
of Ctesias. He supposed this extraordinary creature to have 
existed in the mountainous tract north of India, and east of Persia, 
bordering on the desert: indeed, it is there that he finds pasture 
for all his fabulous animals. The bulls at the gate of Persepolis 
have all the marks of the most powerful strength ; a neck muscular 
and short, with joints gigantically knit, and a force of muscles, 
which show the perfect knowledge of the artist. The broad 
ornamented chest, and the position of the animal, are full of 
a ponderous majesty. It is something extraordinary, to see such 
weight of body and limbs, united with such spirit in the attitude, 
and action of the muscles, that the whole seems ready to move 
from the great mass to which it is attached. The tail and cloven 
hoof differ totally from the wild ass, and indicate decidedly the 
animal to which they belong. Supposing that the head were 
4 f 2 
