RUINS OF THF ROMAN FORUM AT SAMARIA 



Note the weather-beaten tops of the columns, while the lower parts retain their original 

 whiteness, showing how deep these ruins were covered by debris when the work of excava- 

 tion was undertaken, with the aid of American research funds, under the auspices of the 

 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 



darkness within. Some of these tombs 

 were rifled centuries ago ; others have 

 come to light within the past few years. 

 Many have stone doors and stone hinges, 

 with stone locks still in working condition 

 if the keys, probably of bronze, could be 

 found. 



But the modern inhabitants do not 

 pride themselves on this interesting ceme- 

 tery, as did the peoples of bygone times. 

 To the Arabs of today antique relics are 

 of no import ; but they feel justly proud 



of the cactus or prickly-pear bushes, which 

 present a weird spectacle and cover every 

 available space in this oriental God's 

 Acre. The fame of these bushes reaches 

 as far as the Bosporus, where the much- 

 prized fruit is a favorite gift among the 

 notables of Constantinople. 



The prickly-pear cactus was first intro- 

 duced into Palestine by the Crusaders ; 

 today it is grown throughout the length 

 and breadth of the land, being valuable 

 not only for its fruit, but also as an ex- 



