$45 



which passes through the parish of Radstock. In bringing it under 

 their notice, I felt that it could in no degree be invested with the 

 interest of a new discovery, for its existence had been well known 

 from the earliest times, but it turned out to be entirely new to 

 those who took part in that day's excursion, and a section which 

 had been excavated for their inspection exhibited so perfect an 

 example of the structure of Fosse roads generally that it was 

 considered desirable to embody a drawing of it, with descriptive 

 notes in the proceedings of this Society. In accordance with this 

 wish the following notes have been prepared the writer making 

 no pretence to special kaowledge on the subject, but merely seek- 

 ing to describe a road Avhich on the occasion referred to was 

 probably cut through for the first time for scientific purposes. 



COURSE OF THE FOSSE ROAD SOUTH OF BATH. 



The general course of the road to the south of Bath is clearly 

 shewn on the Ordnance and Saunders's maps, and is probably 

 well known to most of you. Collinson speaks of "the great 

 Fosse road, running through the city from north to south," 

 entering it by the " Porta Decumana or north gate," and leaving it 

 by the " Porta Flumentana or south gate," leading to the river. By 

 what means the river was passed does not appear, but the road 

 extended onwards by HoUoway and Devonshire Place to Odd 

 Down, which it crossed very much in the line of the present 

 turnpike. It here intersected the ancient course of the Wansdyke, 

 which extended westward towards Englishcombe. On reaching 

 the edge of the hill overlooking the vUlage of Dunkerton, where 

 the old turnpike gate formerly stood, the present highway 

 diverges to the right, but the Fosse road keeps a perfectly straight 

 course to the Swan Inn, at Dunkerton, where it again rejoins the 

 main road. It was this locality no doubt which Collinson had in 

 view when he wrote that " the Eoman Fosse is here seen in its 

 original perfect form ; being raised very high, mth a deep fosse 

 or ditch on either side, imparting the name to this venerable 



