Indeed the whole attitude of the figure suggested that it was springing from earth to air.

It was executed in black basalt or some stone of the sort, and very highly finished.

For instance, on the bare feet and the arm which held the torch could be felt every muscle and even some of the veins.

In the same way the details of the skull were perfectly perceptible to the touch, although at first sight not visible on the marble surface.

This was ascertained by climbing on the pedestal and feeling the face with our hands.
Here I may say that its modelling as well as that of the feet and the arm filled Bickley, who, of course, was a highly trained anatomist, with absolute amazement.