THE MEDITERRANEAN NATURALIST 
were found, and were afterwards deposited in the 
Museum of the Public Library, Valletta. 
The slab had been fashioned out of a block of 
Malta freestone, and it has carved on it two 
symetrical spiral figures representing the serpent, 
the Phoenician prototype of procreative power. 
It is supposed that the figures represent the 
Universe, the upper portion being of the heavens, 
and the lower half referring to the earth. 
The altar, which had also been rudely carved 
out of a single block of freestone, was found along- 
side of the slab. It measures 2 feet 6 inches in 
height, and 1 foot 6 inches in width; and it is 
ornamented with two pillars, between which is a 
rudely sculptured representation of two serpents 
surmounted by a palm branch. P>oth the altar and. 
the slab are covered with small circular indenta- 
tions similar to those found on the walls and door- 
ways in the interior of the temples. 
The palm-branch was a special characteristic of 
Phoenician places of worship. It was an indis- 
pensable adjunct to all of their religious ceremonies, 
but it was especially venerated on occasions when 
a favour was to be solicited. 
The altar, Caruana thinks, was dedicated to 
the goddess Echates, a divinity to whom it is 
supposed dogs were offered in sacrifice, as conside- 
rable quantities of the charred remains of these 
animals were found intermixed with the debris of 
the temple. 
About three miles to the east of Hagiar Chem 
and situated at the mouth of the Ear Dalam 
gorge, one of the most secluded, and picturesque 
ravines in Malta, are the ruins another of these 
paraethons. It is situated on a ridge; and was 
dedicated to the goddess Melcarte. 
U nlike Hagiar Chem and Mnaidra but little 
now remains of it save a few roughly constructed 
blocks of masonry. These, from their position and 
the very interesting remains found in their vicinity, 
have been considered worthy of preservation, and 
a few years ago a partial restoration of the temple 
was attempted. 
In close proximity to the temple, and situated 
on the shores of the creek of St. Giorgio are a 
number of caldron-shaped fosse, several of which 
are now submerged beneath the waters of the bay. 
The uses tow r hieh these pits wrnre put has given 
rise to much discussion. Among the country 
443 
people it is generally supposed that they were 
used as store-pits for oil; but Caruana is of opinion 
that they formed adjuncts to the temple, and that 
the ceremonial fires in honour of the deity were 
lighted in them. 
Proceeding northwards for a distance of two 
hundred yards, a well preserved specimen of a 
Phoenician reservoir is to be seen. 
This tank, known locally as Sgharet Me 'uiet , 
was, when discovered a few years ago, filled with 
rubbish; but owing to the very laudable exertions 
of a well known Maltese gentleman, Mr. Cachia 
Zammit, the government were induced to clear it 
out, and to partially restore it. The pilasters were 
trussed, the large slabs with which the sirructure 
was roofed were afforded additional supports, and 
an iron railing was built around the steps for the 
convenience of the many visitors who annually go 
to inspect the ruins. Latterly, however the place 
has been much neglected; and the regrettable 
vandalism of the visitors is doing much towards 
entirely destroying this most interesting relic. 
From the numerous megalithic ruins that are 
scattered over this part of Malta, it is evident 
that the locality was once thickly populated. Nor 
is it difficult to understand why it should have 
been chosen in preference to ny other part of the 
island, for not only are the shores low-lying and 
easily accessible and the bay a safe and commo- 
dious one, but the locality itself is 'well protected 
from all of the more boisterous winds which blow 
in the autumn and winter, and the configuration of 
the surrounding country is admirably suited for 
defensive operations in the event of an invasion. 
The ruins of Melcarte and the town in the vici- 
nity are situated on an elevated strip of land 
which lies between two precipitous ravines; while 
towards the east they are protected by the sea. 
The only way by which they could have been 
effectively approached was from the west, and 
even there the rugged nature of the country would 
have presented many serious obstacles to an inva- 
ding force. 
The site was, however, open to one grave objec- 
tion, Its water supply was a precarious one. 
The extent to which the eastern half of Malta 
was denuded during the numerous oscillations of 
level in Quaternary times was so great a> to 
have removed every vestige of the marls and clays 
