668 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



indicated the distance from Rome to all the colonies. He erected 

 in the Forum a standard milestone, denominated miliarium au- 

 reum^ or G;olden standard, from whence proceeded roads to all 

 parts of the empire. 



Another species of Roman road was the subterranean, carried 

 under ground for the single purpose of shelter from the sun. 

 these grew up among the Romans in times of luxury, and vestiges 

 of them are still to be found in many parts of Italy. 



In those days stirrups were unknown, and stones for mounting 

 horses were placed at intervals of ten feet along all the Roman 

 roads. 



Roman streets were divided into three kinds : the first, or sim- 

 ple stratce via, paved roads, were formed only of gravel or pebbles j 

 the second, or via silice sirata, paved with ilint stones of unequal 

 but large sizes, and the third, or via saexo et lapide quadrato slratcBj 

 paved with flat square stones regularly laid. 



Notwithstanding all that has been said respecting Roman roads 

 throughout their onCe immense empire, you will no doubt be 

 surprised to learn that they cannot compare with the elaborately 

 constructed roads of ancient Mexico, and those leading to the 

 mighty cities of Palenca or of Colucan, seated upon the banks of 

 the river Otulun, though upon an elevation five thousand feet 

 above the level of the sea, and covered with almost impenetrable 

 forests, estimated by woodmen to be nine hundred years old, 

 there are roads far superior to the Roman praetorian, or military 

 roads, built of immense squared blocks of stone, and with all 

 other distinctions, in the highest degree demonstrative of wealth, 

 skill and industry. Like our railroads, and to a degree beyond 

 what was observed by the ancient Romans, these ancient American 

 roads were carried along continued levels, and through tunnels, 

 galleries, and subterranean passes, besides having aqueducts and 

 viaducts traversing uneven surftices, and parapeted along the 

 edges of acclivities, with regular stations for the public posts. 



Mr. J. K. Fisher — The mechanical appliances of locomotion, from 

 locomotives and railways down to boots aad sidewalks, are as far 

 below the standard of science as they are above the standard of 

 the last century. They involve dirt, noise, waste of time, danger 



