446 
MERGE TO GYRENE. 
decided a coincidence between the practice which he has mentioned 
and that of the Cyreneans ; we have in consequence been induced to 
lay the passage just quoted before the reader, and to submit to those 
who are most competent to decide the question, how far this analogy 
may be the result of accident, or how far it may be safely considered 
as obtaining in compliance with ancient custom. 
Among the tombs which have been excavated on the northern 
face of the heights of Cyrene there are several on a much larger scale 
than the rest ; some of these appear to have been public vaults and 
contain a considerable number of cellse ; others seem to have been 
appropriated to single families, and in two instances we found large 
excavated tombs containing each a sarcophagus of white marble 
ornamented with figures and wreaths of flowers raised in jehef on 
the exteriors. We suspect these to be Koman ; but the work- 
manship of both is excellent and the polish still remains upon 
them in great perfection. 
We have already mentioned a ravine to the westward of Cyrene, 
on the brink of which stands a portion of the aqueduct of which 
traces have been described as still remaining above the fountain. 
This ravine, which forms the bed of a stream of excellent water, is 
highly picturesque and romantic ; it deepens gradually in its course 
towards the sea, and is thickly overgrown with clusters of oleander 
and myrtle which are blooming in the greatest luxuriance amidst 
the rocks overhanging the stream. On the western side of the ravine 
we found that galleries had been formed, similar to those already 
described on the northern face of the rock of Cyrene, and that 
