We read also in the Puranas, as an historical circumstance, that the whole _serpent_ race had been destroyed by Janamijaya, the son of Parieshit, which, in truth, only implies, as the talented professor of Sanscrit in Oxford University has already remarked, “the subversion of the local and original superstition, and the erection of the system of the Vedas upon its ruins.” St. Patrick, in like manner, having established Christianity _here_, in supercedence of a religion, the most prominent symbols of which were _snakes_, _cockatrices_, and _serpents_, may be truly said to have _extirpated_ their race from the country, but, as you see, in an acceptation heretofore unexplained. The _statement_ given by Major Archer of the _symbolic representations_ upon one of the Indian temples, as well as the particulars of its _fate_, are so perfectly in unison with what I have been describing, that I must be excused if I give it a place here. “Reached Burwah-Saugor,” says he. “Immediately on the right is a Hindoo temple, which I think one of the rarest sights, on the score of architecture and sculpture, which have gratified our curiosity. The work of the chisel would have immortalised the artist had he lived in the present day. I have never seen its execution rivalled, although tolerably conversant with similar objects of art. The elegance of design--the arrangement of the figures, which were too numerous to be computed--the position of them--the sharp and bold relief--and the elaborate ornaments of _foliage_ and _animals_, render it one of the _most remarkable monuments_ of art it is possible to conceive. There are compartments on the lintels of the doors and the entablature, four deep; _figures of the subordinate deities in the voluminous code of Brahma_, _symbols of their attributes_, _sacred utensils_, and _animals_. Two vases are on the threshold, which, for shape and execution, would compete the palm of excellence with Grecian art. _Wreaths of snakes_, and groups of _men_ and _women_, are on the _columns_, which also have _their_ ornaments, and are well proportioned. “I could not resist a second visit to this edifice, which, at the risk of appearing opinionative, I can seriously aver, I never saw equalled for richness and taste; but the hand of intolerant bigotry has marred the work of fair proportion. The fanatical Moslems, who overran the country in the time of Acbar, broke and defaced every image they saw; and, with few exceptions, the head of every figure, of any size or importance, has been demolished; and nothing remains but relics, which attest the advance of the arts at the time the structure was reared.”