INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE. 
671 
The second stone constitutes the top of the niche; the third the 
niche itself, being hollowed into that foim ; and the fourth 
makes the foundation. Two feet six inches of this nether stone, 
remain above ground ; and I do not think that more than an 
additional eight inches is buried in the ruins. It is not easy to 
form any conjecture respecting the use of these gigantic recesses ; 
but they certainly have the effect of lightening, by the symmetry 
of their forms, the broad, and otherwise heavy flat of the walls. 
They do not appear to have been intended for statues, the bot¬ 
tom stones being perfectly smooth, and of the most brilliant 
polish. In all the modern palaces of Persia we find similar ex¬ 
cavations, though not of such large dimensions. Like these, they 
usually commence a few feet from the ground, still bearing 
traces of the ancient style of architecture, and are almost always 
appropriated to holding pots of roses or other flowers ; while these 
in the palace of Persepolis, are tall enough to hold trees, would 
their breadth admit them. The forms of the several great door¬ 
ways have the same outline as the niches, and are crowned with 
a similar pediment. (Plate LI. A.) Fragments of several, lay on 
the ground; one of which I measured, and found it four feet 
six inches in depth, and luxuriantly decorated with lotos-leaves. 
In my account of the building quite to the west, (k) where 
several bas-reliefs occur, representing single combats between a 
human figure and a variety of animals, I then mentioned that I 
should defer a more particular description of their design, till I 
could compare what I saw there, with those which would present 
themselves to my notice in the great structure to the east; and 
I now find, that in outline, if not in dimensions, they are fac¬ 
similes of those I see here. On the four portals (ffff) point¬ 
ing east and west, these extraordinary encounters are displayed. 
