'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎128] (159/582)

128 VISIT TO THE ANTIQUITIES
level. The outer front of this excavation presents first a fine
broad pilaster on each side, with a device formed by a chain of
stems and flowers winding round a central stalk, not unlike some
of the rich pilasters on the doors of Palmyra, and as beautifully
executed as they are tastefully designed. The arch itself has
sculptured mouldings running over it to finish its front, which
are also chastely done. Above this, and exactly over the centre
of the arch, is a crescent, resting on what appears to be extended
wings, which might perhaps be thought to have some affinity with
the winged globe of the Egyptians. This device of a serpent, or
a lizard (for it has been called both) witli expanded wings, as seen
both here and at the Caves of Nakshi Rustam, has been taken by
the learned Dr. Hyde, (author of a Treatise on the Religion of
the Ancient Persians,) for a symbol of the soul, and by others, for
an Egyptian scarabeus; while Thevenot calls it a winged idol, and
Pietro della Valle, the Devil !*
On each side of this symbol, in the angular space left between
the arch and a square of the rock formed over it, are two beautiful
female figures, such as in Europe we should call angels. These
are larger than the life, and sculptured in bas-relief. They are
robed in fine flowing drapery, have broadly expanded wings of the
eagle form, boldly drawn and executed; and they lean in free and
graceful attitudes towards the central symbol, being buoyant in
air ; and while, with the nearest hand, they seem to present to
this a drcular wreath of flowers, in the other they hold a vase
of the flat Roman form, filled above the brim with fruits The
faces of these female figures are round, smiling, and full of com
placency and good nature: their forms are at once elegant and
ree, their hair short and curly, the disposition of the fingers in
11 obi 1118 1 r?" ' t1le VaSe extremel y natural, the wings
noble and the drapery ample and flowing, so that they give to the
whole front of the excavation the most imposing appearance.
Memoires de J'Academie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres.