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 letter for letter, the same as that on the two pillars near Betiya. It is now lying prostrate with part of the inscription under water. In its fall the capital was broken, and only the lower pan of the bell was found attached to the shaft. This portion had been preserved by a massive copper bolt, by which the capital was attached to the shaft. The bolt is of cast copper, 24½ inches in length, 13¼ inches in cir­cumference in the middle, and 10J inches at each end. There are several marks chiselled and dotted on each flat end of the bolt.

The fact that this bolt is of copper seems to me to point out very clearly that the Hindus had already discovered the destructive property of iron when used as a fastening for stones. I have long held the opinion that the Hindus knew and practised the art of stone-cutting at least two centuries before the time of Asoka. Indeed the very name of Taxila, or Takshasila-Nagara, the "city of cut-stone" buildings, proves that the art was known and used before the time of Alexander.

At present we know of no Indian inscriptions earlier than the reign of Asoka; but I find it absolutely impossible to believe that the beautifully finished letters of Asoka’s pillar inscriptions could have leaped ready-formed, like Minerva, from the head of any person. They must have been preceded by a ruder alphabet, which has been lost owing to the almost universal use of wood in early times. The wooden palaces and wooden walls of Palibothra have perished long ago; but I do not despair of our finding hereafter some little coin that may be of an earlier date. In fact I already possess several coins of an earlier date than those of the Sungas, with the name of Gupta on them, preceded either by Chandra or Bhadra, the first letter alone being indistinct.

Mr. Carlleyle's remarks about the Asylum and Drona Stupas seem to me to merit careful consideration, and I pro­pose to examine the question of their sites over again before I leave India.

A. CUNNINGHAM, Major-General, Director-General, Archaeological Survey.