77 



the large Kectangular Bath. The short columns supporting the 

 roof of the Ambulatory which surrounded this circular bath, are 

 found perfect in one or two instances ; but the arched roof that 

 must have rested on them has been removed. 



This circular bath occupies the western end of the large Rectan- 

 gular Swimming Bath, as the "Rectangular Bath, found in the last 

 century, formed the eastern end. 



The workmanship of the circular bath does not seem so massive 

 orwell put together as that of the large bath. They may perhaps 

 eventually be found to be of different dates, though both are 

 undoubtedly Roman, and form portions of a grand arrangement 



for bathing. ^ , . ^ w u 



A circular bath is not common in Roman bathing estabhsh- 

 ments, but semi-circular baths are very common; and circular 

 chambers of very large proportions were attached to baths as 

 Sudatories and halls. This may be seen at Rome in the Pantheon, 

 which was a circular hall, with chambers attached, for the 

 purposes of the Sudatorium, or Vapour Bath ; also the same may 

 be seen at the baths of Dioclesian, where one or more have 

 been turned to the purpose of a Circular Church. 



Contiguous to the Circular Bath, and beyond the Ambulatory 



surrounding it, a chamber has been opened, which seems to 



have been used for heating purposes. The remains of a 



Hypocaust have also been found. It is probable that this 



Circular Bath (as well as the Rectangular one) was supphed with 



cold water from a spring, not mineral, but which could be used 



for ordinary washing or other purposes. Much, however, remains 



yet to be discovered, and more must be laid open before the 



exact purposes and arrangement of these baths can be accurately 



ascertained. The lead coating of the Circular Bath, which 



probably also covered the steps or seats that surround it, had been 



removed in past times. 



Major Davis, in his paper recently read to the Bath Literary and 

 PhUosophical Society, supposes that the entire establishment of 



