from the great cave into the verandah; the latter are exactly the Venetian, or what are now termed Wyatt windows. The cornices of both doors and windows are elegantly carved, and there are pannels hollowed out above them filled with groups of small figures, in one of which stands prominently forth a female figure carrying the lotus. At the west end of the verandah is a small cell, the bottom of which was filled with water; beside this is a small temple (marked h in the ground-plan), in the centre of which is the lingam, and in front of it a small statue of Derma Deva. At the east end are other cells, and a passage leading up into the jungle. These caves are all about fifteen feet high, and the roof flat throughout. It appears to me that the very rapid decay which has taken place here, in comparison with the other caves on the island, is occasioned by their being excavated beneath the level of the surrounding country, and not in the side of a hill as elsewhere. The tigers with which the island abounds resort to these desolate caverns in search of water; for we could plainly distinguish their footsteps crossing the avenues in different directions, and I was informed by some of the villagers that they take up their abode here altogether during the dry season.

MAGATANIE CAVES.

About six miles north of the Jogheyseer caves are those of Magatanie. These have at first sight more the appearance of being excavated for the sake of the materials, than for forming temples devoted to any deity; though on nearer inspection the regularity with which they are cut, and the mouldering figures still ornamenting the walls, make it evident that such was their destination. A slight descent leads to the front of the principal cave, before which is a tank cut in the rock, even at present filled with water. This cave is but of a moderate size, open in front and behind, and having on each side two doors leading to as many dark cells; the roof of it is low, flat, and supported by pillars that are neither so well proportioned in their dimensions, nor so well finished in their several parts, as those in the other excavations. Beyond this cave is an area exposed to the sky, round which are excavated a number of small and unequal-sized cells: the entrance to

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most of them is choked up by thick entangled bushes, through which I was not inclined to attempt a passage, their external appearance promising but little in their favour. On the wall of one of those less difficult of access is a large figure seated on a bench, with two attending figures, carved in alto-relievo like the design (marked No. 1, drawing No. 2.) at Kenery, which I suppose to represent Boudha, but it is much defaced.

MONTPEZIR CAVE.

About two miles north-by-west from the caves of Magatanie is Montpezir, where stand the ruins of a Catholic monastery built by the Jesuits in the sixteenth century. This monastery covers a large extent of ground, was built with great solidity; and, if any judgement may be formed from what remains, the chapel appears to have been elegantly finished; the mouldings, ornaments, and images of wood now lying scattered about the place being very curiously and handsomely carved. Below the monastery, on the eastern side of the hill, is excavated an ancient Hindoo temple, which was afterwards converted to the use of the monastery—for what purpose it would be now difficult to ascertain. Its walls and pillars were by the Portuguese covered with a thick coat of plaster, which has proved the means of preserving the few mutilated remains of sculpture that their bigotry had spared. In a recess on the left hand as you enter (vide a in the ground-plan) is the painting of a saint, still fresh, on the wall: opposite to this are now visible (the plaster having been removed) the relics of a fine piece of sculpture (vide No. 1, drawing No. 5.) representing, as it appears to me, a nuptial ceremony ;-a female figure leaning on her attendants seems advancing towards the hero of the piece, who is of gigantic stature and has six arms; in one corner is a musician playing on the tomtom, and above are a host of celestial attendants, amongst which the three-headed Brahma, Vishnu riding on Garoode with the lotus in his hand, and Ganesa with his usual attributes, are at once discovered. This and the sacred covra de capelle on his right, at once point out Sieva as the leading figure; and it is doubtless meant to represent his marriage with Parwuttce, like that at Ellora in the Doomar Leyna described by Sir Charles Mallet in the Asiatic Researches. The only figures besides these

at present freed from the plaster, are in the cave marked (c) in the ground-plan, which was in November so filled with mud as to be inaccessible. The pillars are of the order of Elephanta (vide No. 2, drawing No. 4.); the form and dimensions of the caves will be best seen by the ground-plan, which is drawn on a scale, though the measurements are not very accurately taken. I cannot quit this place without remarking that there is perhaps no spot in the world where the Catholic and Heathen imagery come so closely in contact as here; where a Portuguese monastery has a temple of the Hindoos for its foundation; and where the exploits of their God of Terror are sculptured on one side, and the form of a meek Christian saint painted on the other.

KENERY CAVES.

About nine miles east-south-east from Montpezir are the more celebrated caves of Kenery, called by Hamilton and some of its earlier visitors the City of Canorin. As there is no regular road* to them from Montpezir, it was necessary to clear a path as we proceeded, the whole of this part of the island being covered with a thick and almost impenetrable jungle: this prevented us from seeing much of the surrounding country; yet at times, as we descended into the gullies down which the torrents rush in the rainy season, the scenery, though still confined, was extremely wild and picturesque. The ascent to the hill, in the sides of which the caves are excavated, is tolerably gradual until within a few hundred yards of the southernmost, when the path becomes steep and rugged, and so closely shaded with shrubs and lofty trees as to conceal every appearance of the caves until you are actually in front of them: this gives a very striking effect to the first (marked a in sketch of the hill), which bursts at once upon the view:-this, however, excepting its external appearance, has little curious about it, or worthy of remark. Two massive columns boldly carved support a plain and solid entablature, over which is hol

* The caves of Kenery are perfectly accessible from the main road leading from Bombay to Tannah, the principal town of Salsette. From Montpezir, if Mr. Salt had had more leisure, he would probably have gone to Gorabunder, the northern point of the island; from which place to Tannah it is usual to go in boats along a narrow channel bordered by scenes of singular beauty.