34§ 



next was called 7'udiis or rudtrutio, and consisted of a mass of small 

 stones broken to pieces, and mixed with lime in the proportion of one 

 part of broken stones to two of lime. The third layer or bed, which 

 was termed michxis, was formed of a mixture of lime, chalk, and 

 pounded or broken tiles or earth, beaten together ; or of gravel, or 

 sand and lime mixed with clay. Upon this was laid the surface or 

 pavement of the road, which was called technically summum dorsum ov 

 summa crusta. It was comjDosed sometimes of stones, set like the 

 paving-stones in our streets, and sometimes of flag-stoues, cut square or 

 polygonally, and probably more often of a firm bed of gravel or lime. 

 The roads were thus raised higher than the surrounding grounds, and 

 on this account the mass was termed agger. These Roman roads are 

 extraordinarily straight, rarely turning out of their way to avoid hills 

 or other obstacles — excavations, bridges, and even tunnels of consider- 

 able length, being made in preference. There were regular stations 

 for the entertainment of man and beast at the end of each mille 

 passuum (4,834 English feet), or Roman mile, at which columns or 

 milestones were erected, called milliaria. These are now very rare. I 

 am told there is one in the museum at Leicester. The Eoman roads as 

 a rule consist of one carriage-way, but sometimes are made of two 

 carriage-ways, divided by a footpath. A Roman road runs over the 

 top of one of the Westmoreland mountains, 2,000 feet above the level 

 of the sea. It is, on this account, named High Street." 



Similar information, with slight variations, appears in the 

 works of other vvTiters, and in cutting through the Fosse road at 

 Eadstock I was curious to ascertain how far it would be found 

 to agree. I was much gratified to find that this local section 

 exactly confirmed the description given by Vitrnvius, layer 

 corresponding with layer throughout the entire structure. 



In order to show its formation with greater exactness, I have 

 had two sections prepared, to which attention is directed. 

 Figure 1 gives a general view of the road, and of its elevation 

 above the adjacent land ; while Figure 2 shows the structure of 

 the road on an enlarged scale. It Avill be observed from the 

 former of these sections that after cutting through the Roman 

 work the original soil was met with at a level corresponding as 



