258 



The Roman Villa at Box. 



floor of the bath itself was 2 feet 11 inches below the floor of its 

 chamber (XXXI.), from which the bathers descended by two steps, 



Section of bath looking south. 



as shown on the section. The floor and sides were faced with 

 tesserae of white lias ; an arrangement seldom met with, I believe. 

 I could see no plug or other means of emptying it ; but at L on 

 plan there was an overflow pipe 2 inches in diameter, embedded 

 in the wall. I was told that on the opposite side, nearest the 

 furnace, was another pipe ; if so, it must have been removed 

 previous to my visit. But though I did not see it I believe it to 

 have been there, serving as a supply-pipe possibly conveying the 

 water after it had been heated by any vessels, which for that 

 purpose would have been admirably placed in the latter chamber 

 over the furnace (K)." 



This was removed together with the pavements, by the owner 

 of the property, Mr. Stier, of Bath, in whose possession they are 

 at the present time. 1 



From the above description and the position of this semicircular 

 receptacle for water, opening direct from a passage of communication, 

 it is far more likely it was a fountain than a bath. 



Chamber XXXIII. was at a height of nearly 3 feet above 

 chamber XXXI., from which it would be approached by steps in 

 the thickness of the wall. It had a hypocaust beneath, with a 

 stoke-hole in the west wall, and apparently ten pihe standing. It 

 is called by Mr. Mann the furnace or prcefumium. 



1 For an account of this "bath " and pavement, and illustrations of them 

 as they existed in situ, before removal, see paper by Kev. E. H. Goddard in 

 Wilts Arch. Mag., vol. xxvi., 405 — 409. 



