ABUHASUBHA. ^9 
plain, thinly set with daroo and wild date trees. In front of the ex- 
cavation is a thatched and two-storied entrance, built in a style much 
resembling that of the Portuguese. From this three doors lead into 
an oblong square room (A), the dimensions of which are about fifty 
feet by thirty, supported by two rows of columns, each consisting 
of four pillars and two pilasters; the former are about three feet in 
diameter, and from their plainness and proportions, resemble those 
of the Tuscan order. Beyond is a room (B), answering in some 
degree to the chancel of modern churches ; it is divided from the 
larger excavation by two square pillars, and has a dome-shaped 
cieling about forty feet high, of very excellent workmanship. In 
this room are contained the baptismal font, and the various articles 
used in the ceremonies of the church, which are concealed from 
view by a curtain suspended between the two pillars at the entrance. 
On each side is a smaller room (G), communicating by a door and 
window with the larger excavation. The cieling in front of the 
centre room in the larger excavation, is hollowed out into a kind 
of dome about thirty feet high, curiously painted and carved; and 
in front of the side rooms it is also adorned in the same manner, ' 
but without the dome. The floor is flagged with square stones, and 
the walls are carved and ornamented with crosses, paintings, and 
inscriptions in the Ethiopic character, which, I was informed, en- 
tirely consist of sentences taken from Scripture. The most conspi- 
cuous of the paintings are representations of Christ, the Apostles, 
and Saint George combating the dragon: the white horse of the 
latter is both well designed and executed. We were allowed by 
the priests to examine every part of this singular temple, which is 
damp, and full of bats and insects, particularly the side cells, in each 
