352 



surface of the road was only about six feet in -rndth, it was 



sufficient for the passage of the narrow vehicles then apparently 

 in use. Not having met with any account of the general width 

 of Eoman chariots, I am unable to say how far the widths here 

 given agree with what has been proved elsewhere, but probably 

 some other member may be able to throw additional light on the 

 subject. The rut on the northern side of the road is deeper and 

 more sharply defined than the other, being about two inches wide 

 and two or three inches deep, while that on the opposite side is 

 wider, shallower and less distinct. I have preserved a specimen 

 of the former for the inspection of the members, and I have also 

 been fortunate in obtaining a photograph in which these wheel 

 tracks are cleiarly visible, although not so strikingly so as in the 

 original. Their appearance thus laid bare, after the lapse of 

 1500 years, was most impressive, calling up forcibly to the 

 imagination the Eoman legions which must have passed along this 

 road in ages long since passed away. 



The ancient surface of the road has in later times been covered 

 by a coating of broken stones and earth as shewn in the section. 

 This may probably have been done to widen the surface of the 

 road and admit of the more convenient passage of stock from one 

 field to another, which is the only purpose it at present serv^es ; 

 but of the time and circumstances under which this surface layer 

 was added nothing is known. 



A question having been asked on the daj' of the excursion as to 

 the probable object of raising the road so high above the adjacent 

 land, I find Dr. Wright (in the book already referred to) remarks 

 that " when they came upon higher ground, the Eomans were not 

 " in the habit of entrenching, but they often raised the embank, 

 "ment higher even than in the plain, probably as a measure of 

 "precaution." 



In his account of Bath Easton, CoUinson also states that " the 

 " general method of the Eomans was to raise all their roads in 

 "Britain as. high as. possible above the common, level, in order 



