126 PROCEEDINGS OF [DcC. 



amid its ruine, afford conclusive evidence that it was laid prostrate by some great 

 convulsion of nature. The amphitheatre, in whose immense elliptical arena, near 

 three hundred feet in diameter, now grow luxuriant crops of blue wheat, is but a 

 heap of huge masses of masonry, broken and lifted from their places by super- 

 human agency ; no part of the structure having withstood the shock, except tho 

 deepest foundations, in which are still seen, leading by arched ways into the arena, 

 the vaulted chambers in which the wild beasts were wont to be prepared for the 

 cruel sport. A segment of the circumference, however, still exhibits six or eight 

 rows of benches, in a good state of preservation, which serve to trace the outline of 

 tlie building. Whether enriched by tlie blood of tho contending gladiators and 

 their ferocious competitors for applause, or by a small stream which now runs 

 through the arena, the soil produces tho heaviest crops I have seen in Spain. The 

 crimson flowers growing among the wheat present to the mind an image of the 

 gore with which the place was so often stained. The stream, at intervals, yet rolls 

 up some copper 060//, which the traveller may get, for a few maravcdis, from the un- 

 ■breechcd urchins who haunt tho spot. I would have spent many hours there, and 

 even with my own hands have dug into the soil for valuable relics, but the land is 

 in the possession of speculators, who will neither explore it themselves, nor allow 

 any one else to do it. And thus this rich treasure for tlic antiquarian, and deep 

 mine of historical lore, is now a sealed book, and will remain so for the many years 

 ,to come, which, I fear, this unhappy though beautiful country is destined to pass 

 ijB its present unfortunate condition. 



With esteem, I am, dear Sir, yours truly, A. VAIL. 



From George Moore, U. S, Consul, Tnesle.^-Exiract. 



Trieste, October 7, 1841. 



It may appear rather apocryphal that, in the year 1841, a river should have 

 been discovered in the immediate neighborhood of Trieste, and but a very short dis. 

 tance from the highway to Vienna ; yet such is the fact. 



At about nine miles in a direct line to the east of Trieste, tho small river " Rec- 

 ca" enters and disappears in the Grotto of St. Cautien. At about eleven miles in 

 a direct hne to the northwest of Trieste, and precisely where the Highlands tcrmi. 

 nate, the river " Timavo " gushes out from the rocks, is navigable almost to its sourco, 

 and, at the distance of about a quarter of a mile, enters tho sea. 



To convey a more correct idea of this interesting discovery, I have sent you, 

 by the American bartjue Falmoutii, John Davis, Jun., master, a tin case, addressed 

 to tho care of Mr. Bedient, United States Despatch Agent at New-York, contain, 

 ing two lithographic views and plans connected with this river, which, at the spot 

 where it haa been discovered, about two and a half miles east.northeast of Trieste, 

 is about nine hundred foet beneath the surface of the earth, and is a much larger 

 body of water than tlie " Recca," tliough there is no doubt but that it forms part of 

 the newly discovered river. 



As Trieste sutfers tVequcntly from drought, it is to bo liopcd t-onin |>lau will bo 

 devised to conduct at leant a part of this water l<^ Trieste. A tunnel is talked uf. 

 1 am, rcsiHJCtfully, sir, &c. 



(JliOKtJE MOORE, Consul. 



