PERSIA.

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two horsemen, but unfortunately they have been very much
defaced: the execution is very spirited. Here is also the Shapoor
sculpture of the two mounted kings, one presenting the ring to the
other.

Colonel Macdonald employed people in clearing away the earth
from a staircase, and made the interesting discovery of a chimerical
figure representing a lion or dragon winged, with a human head,
resting one of its paws on a lotus-flower, supported by a stem like
that of the date tree. No similar figure had ever previously been
discovered at Persepolis. Four figures mounting steps were also
brought to light: they seem to be employed in carrying viands re-
quisite for a feast. The first bears two cups, the second a covered
goblet, the third a lamb, and the fourth a skin either of water or
wine.

The sickness in camp to-day increased to a most alarming extent. Every instant there was a fresh patient: not only the Indians, but also many Persians were taken ill. Bilious and intermittent fevers were the prevailing diseases. Most of the Europeans were likewise laid up. In attempting to sketch a sculpture which had been exposed by Colonel Stannus, representing nine men with high caps, curled hair, and armed with spears, bows and arrows, marching from one side towards a tablet of arrow-headed characters, and nine similar figures advancing from the opposite side towards the same tablet, I found that my hand trembled so much that I was unable to hold the pencil: I was consequently forced to desist, and in the evening was so ill with a slow fever, that I could not sit on horseback, and was obliged to proceed in a *cajava*. These are panniers made of wood, with plank bottoms, and covered with cloth: a mule carries

J. E. E. P. C.

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