U6 THE HOLY LAND. 
its section at the top, a small circular aperture : 
the sides, extending below to a great depth, 
were lined with a hard red stucco, like the 
substance covering the walls of the subterra- 
neous galleries which we found in the sandy 
Isle of jibouhir, upon the coast of Egypt. This 
extraordinary piece of antiquity, which, from its 
conical form, may be called a suhterrayieous 
pyramid, is upon the very pinnacle of the 
mountain. It might easily escape observation, 
although it be of such considerable size ; and 
perhaps this is the reason why it has not been 
noticed by preceding travellers \ We could 
not find any appearance of an entrance, except 
by the circular aperture, which is not unlike the 
mouth of a well, level with the surface of the 
mountain. This Crypt has not the smallest 
resemblance to any place of Christian use or 
worship. Its situation upon the pinnacle of a 
mountain rather denotes the work of Pagans, 
whose sacrilegious rites upon " the high places'' are 
so often alluded to in Jeivish history. Perhaps 
some light may be thrown upon its history by the 
(l) All hope of information from the Monks of Jerusalem concerning 
antiquities not included in their catalogue of " local sanctities," 
(or ' stations," as they sometimes call them,) is quite forlorn. The 
very search after Heathen antiquities is by them deemed heretical and 
profane. Vid. Quaresmius " De externa profane, sed detestabili ac 
yitiosa peregrinatione," apudEluc. T. S. lib. iii. c. 34. Anlv. 1639. 
