YARVOO. 113 



different directions towards the city, then about 

 two hundred yards before us, and which, from 

 the general excellent state of preservation of 

 the walls, can be entered only where breaches 

 have been made by the falling down of small 

 portions. They are built of quadrangular blocks 

 of limestone with regular courses ; but middle- 

 age restorations are sometimes met with. They 

 enclose a slope descending from the top of a hill 

 which is precipitous on two sides. The city 

 overlooks a valley or basin, which is well cul- 

 tivated and lower than the plains to the west- 

 ward. The village of Yarvoo, which gives its 

 name to the ruins, is situated under the precipice, 

 and the scenery on that side is bold and pleas- 

 ing. On entering within the walls, numerous 

 ruins present themselves, some of a doubtful 

 age, others of a decidedly middle-age construc- 

 tion, and some of Roman. In our rapid exami- 

 nation of them, we saw massive vaulted build- 

 ings of admirable construction. The directions 

 of some of the streets could also be made out, 

 and the posterns forming the doorways of several 

 houses were still standing ; also the substructures 

 of several massive public works, baths, &c, be- 

 sides the materials of ornamented buildings, 



i 



