It was much decayed.

The lower part was overgrown with a bright silky moss.

Thin spears of grass sprouted from the distended mouth, and fringed the outline of the head and arms.

His godship had literally attained a green old age.

All its prominent points were bruised and battered, or entirely rotted away.
The nose had taken its departure, and from the general appearance of the head it might have, been supposed that the wooden divinity, in despair at the neglect of its worshippers, had been trying to beat its own brains out against the surrounding trees.
I drew near to inspect more closely this strange object of idolatry, but halted reverently at the distance of two or three paces, out of regard to the religious prejudices of my valet.