38 



Paving -which -was then found, and is still preserved in situ in the 

 basement of the Hospital. 



The annexed photograph of the large fragment -mU. give 

 some idea of the patterns of the work. It 1^111 be seen that this 

 was very richly designed, with a series of large octagons 

 measuring 2ft. Sin. across, and containing in the interior of 

 each a series of circles in small stones, and between the circles 

 and the margins were foliated patterns worked in coloured stones. 

 Apparently there must hare been considerable variety of design 

 in the whole of the original Paving, for we have here only one 

 complete octagon, and fragments of two others, and the patterns 

 are different in each. The small squares and triangles filling in 

 the spaces between the several octagons and the outer borders are 

 filled in with rows of tesserae with reversed squares of colour. 



On the outer border there is a line of dark tiles, and beyond 

 this again we found a margin of tiles laid herring-bone fashion 

 and of which three rows could be traced. This was no doubt 

 intended to fill up the space between the ornamental centre and 

 the walls of the room ; but no trace of the walls could be found. 



The Paving was bedded upon fine red concrete made from 

 pounded bricks and lime — at least six inches thick, and resting 

 upon the earth. 



The Pavement has been carefully lifted up in pieces, and 

 secured to a fresh base of cement ; and it was found to be in 

 such a loose, rotten state, and the surface so damaged that it was 

 most difficult to lift up anything but small portions at a time. 

 A few of the tesserae have thus got slightly misplaced ; but as a 

 whole the patterns are nearly as perfect as when first discovered. 



A portion has been brought here for the inspection of the 

 members. 



The small fragment of Paving found at the north-west comer 

 is of a much plainer character, and consists of a series of squares 

 with dividing lines and border, and was probably from a room 

 not considered worthy of a more ornamental Paving. 



