VOL. XIX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 57 



show, being built of Gypsine stone, or rock, isinglass, resembling alabaster, 

 but not so hard ; several quarries of which we passed by in our way to it. When 

 the sun shines upon it. it reflects the beams so strongly, that they dazzle the 

 eyes of the spectators. Art or accuracy in the workmanship we found none: 

 and but very tittle carved work, and that mean enough ; and the cement little 

 better than dirt. Round about were the little apartments or chambers for the 

 monks, built archwise, only one story above ground : but underneath are several 

 cells or vaults, larger than the chambers, which perhaps might serve for their 

 schools, or working-houses. In the midst of the area stand the ruins of several 

 buildings, some of which seem to have been cisterns for water, and perhaps 

 bathing places ; but one heap was most remarkable, which probably was the 

 abbot's or bishop's house ; and another, which was the ruins of their church. 

 This was form.erly no unhandsome structure, being built in the form of our 

 churches, and distinguished into three aisles, of which the middle one is sup- 

 ported by 18 turned marble pillars, with capitals upon them, not of marble but 

 of a sort of clay, and cast into the shape they are in, but of a colour exactly 

 resembling the pillar itself. That which persuades to believe them cast, is a 

 Greek inscription to be seen on all of them ; the letters whereof are not made 

 by incision in the stone, but seem to be stamped, standing out higher than the 

 distance between them : and on one of them by mistake, they are so placed as 

 to be read after the oriental manner, from the right hand to the left. 



From hence our guide led us to the river, by the assistance of two little hills, 

 which are known by the name of AfF Dien, our way lying north, and a little 

 bending to the east. We pitched on a reach of the river, where it was not 

 very broad, not being above half a musket shot over. 



October 12, about sun- rise, we proceeded on our journey, keeping along 

 the banks of the river, which, for the most part, led us west and north-west ; 

 and here we had pleasant travelling, having the river on the right hand, and 

 hills of marble or other fine stone on the left : and delightful groves of tamarisk, 

 mulberry, and other trees to pass through. Here every thing about us looked 

 fresh and verdant, and we frequently met men and women passing. We had 

 also a pleasing prospect of the oposite shore, and could see a great way into 

 Mesopotamia, but could meet with no convenience to cross the river, which 

 we wished to have done. 



October 13, this day afforded similar scenes to the former, travelling as near 

 the river as the road would permit ; and having made a stage of about six hours, 

 we rested under the shade of the tamarisk trees by the river side. In our way 

 we observed the ruins of a city called Baulus, where the Turks had formerly a 

 sangiac; but now there is neither inhabitant, nor any house standing, hut only 



VOL. IV. I 



