|HE most elaborate and interesting one is 

 at the Villa Falconieri, where the basin is 

 formed on the side of a hill, one half being 

 cut in, and the other side being supported by mason- 

 work in the form of an architectural wall, the pilas- 

 ters capped by large balls. There is a wide walk 

 surrounding the reservoir, and the whole is enclosed 

 by a line of cypresses, now grown very large, their 

 great depth of color contrasting beautifully with the 

 white walls and the mason-work. Another interest- 

 ing feature of the Villa Falconieri is the elaborate 

 system of walls which surrounds it. These are now 

 very much in ruin, and in many cases quite con- 

 cealed by the large growth of trees and shrubs. 

 What remains of permanent interest are the sculp- 

 tured gates of great variety of forms. Tall columns 

 of different-colored marbles are surmounted either 

 by the family escutcheons or by lions or some other 

 emblems. 



97 



