fs Y ce ee ee ee 
43 
as we cannot recollect to have seen him represented in any of the 
designs hitherto discovered in Britain, though Orpheus charming 
the animal creation is a favourite subject for tesselated floors. 
The subject, though heathen in its origin, was afterwards adopted 
in Christian ornamentation, as may be seen in one of the 
catacombs at Rome. ‘ 
One of the most perfect and interesting of the pavements is in 
the chamber to which this corridor leads. The apartment is 
divided into two portions—the masonry which supported columns, 
one on each side, still remaining in a very perfect state. In the 
centre of this division is a portion of pavement containing a figure 
supposed to represent the astronomer Hipparchus, as he has on his 
right hand what appears to be a sun-dial. Below this is a sphere 
or globe, to which he is pointing with a wand; on his left hand 
—wa esos 
is a vessel, in which there appears to be a pen. This subject is 
also new, not having hitherto been found on any Roman 
pavements yet uncovered. In the eastern division of this room 
is a very perfect portion of the pavement having the pattern 
formed in the shape of the letter X, with a circular medallion in 
the centre, on which is depicted the head of Medusa. Four 
panels surround this centre ; each of these contains two figures— 
male and female. In one the female figure is represented in the 
attitude of dancing while striking the tambourine, and the man 
holds the pan’s-pipe in one hand and a shepherd’s crook in the 
other. The man’s dress is peculiar, as he wears short trousers 
appearing under his tunic or kilt. 
In the next panel the male figure holds a double-headed axe, 
and the female is turning from him as if in surprise or fear, 
while a plant, apparently a vine, is twisted round both figures. 
_ The lower portion of this panel is destroyed. The next one 
is also defaced, the upper portion of the male figure being 
obliterated, except the legs, while the female is turning her 
_ back, and the lower portion of her. covering is twisted round 
the legs, leaving the back naked. It is difficult to explain these 
