TIBET. 
259 
was paved, were surrounded with a colonnade, for the occasional ac¬ 
commodation of pilgrims, and other devotees. Upon the walls of this 
colonnade, were rudely painted many emblematical figures, of gigantic 
proportions, illustrative of various parts of their system of mythology. 
The two principal figures, of enormous size, depicted with hideous 
countenances, and coloured with blue and scarlet, represented incar- 
• 
nations of Cali. The pillars were painted with vermilion, and orna¬ 
mented with gilding; and upon the pediment which they supported, 
was introduced the imperial figure of the Chinese dragon. In the centre 
of the colonnade was a large gate, which opened to a principal avenue 
of the monastery. Immediately opposite to this gate, stood the portico 
of the mausoleum, on the top of which, within a low railing, was placed 
the following device, resembling a coat of arms. The centre piece, 
which was of a spear-like form, resembling the leaf of the pepul tree 3 , 
was placed upon a low pedestal. On each side, was the figure of an 
animal, not unlike a deer couchant, with the head elevated, the nose 
pointing upwards, and the throat resting upon the shoulder, or project¬ 
ing part, of the hastated machine between them, which I conjectured 
to be about eight feet high. The whole extended from one side of the 
portico to the other, stood entirely clear of the body of the building, 
and was very richly gilt. It had all together, the appearance of 
a coat of arms with supporters, but upon a very large scale. The 
centre piece, I was informed, contained within it, some of their sacred 
writings. 
Under the portico, sat a priest, who read with a book before him, 
1 Ficus indica. 
LI 
