710 
SEPULCHRAL CAVES 
been inserted. I sought in vain for inscriptions of any kind. 
Quitting this first track, about twenty yards farther on the 
rocky ledge, we entered a second in no way different from 
the one just described. We next visited those more to the 
north; and found them rather lower down in the mountain 
than those on the southern brow. Their ancient mode of 
approach seems to have been by a broad and magnificent flight 
of steps ; and, on the whole, that range appears of most superb 
design ; but the tomb to the extreme right is the only one that 
has a pediment; its portal is hewn with superior care, and re¬ 
mains less injured than we found the others. Its interior 
also is by much the most spacious; but the faces of all the tombs 
are so lamentably mutilated, it is impossible to conjecture even 
the style of their ornaments. However, some way down on the 
declivity of the hill, several fragments of stone, similar to that 
of the rock, are to be found, carved like parts of friezes and 
architraves; and it is not improbable that they may have assisted 
in forming into temple-like porticos, the fronts of these ancient 
sepulchres. 
