Velum was probably fixed. By comparing this with other structures at Spaitla, Cassereen, and Hydrah, it seems to have been built near the time of the Antonines, agreeing exactly in proportion and workmanship with the buildings of that age. And as the elder Gordian was proclaimed emperor at this city, it is not improbable, that, in gratitude to the place where he received the purple, he might have been the founder of it. Upon one of the medals of the younger Gordian, we have an amphitheatre, not hitherto accounted for by the medalists; but it may be too peremp tory perhaps to fix it here at Tisdra. As Kairwan and Jemme are the most remarkable places on the eastern side of this province; Hydrah, a little below Gellah at Snaan, near the frontiers of the Algerines, is the most considerable to the westward. It is situated in a narrow valley, with a rivulet running by it, and appears to be one of the most considerable places of this country for extent of ruins. For we have here the walls of several houses, the pavement of a whole street entire, with a variety likewise of altars and Mausolea. A great number of the latter are very well preserved; some of which lie open to the air, and are built in a round hexagonal or octogonal figure, supported by four, six or eight columns; whilst others are square, compact and covered buildings, with niches in one or other of the fascades, or else with wide open places, like so many balconies upon their tops. But the inscriptions which belonged as well to these these as to a number of other antiquities, are either defaced by time or the malice of the Arabs. Upon a triumphal arch, more remarkable for its largeness than beauty, we have the following inscription; wherein not the least notice is taken, as it was usual in other places, of the city, or of the people that erected it. IMP. CAES. L. SEPTIMIO SEVERO PERTINACI AVG. P. M. TRIB. POT. III. IMP. V. COS. II. PP. PARTHICO ARABICO. ET PARTHICO ADIABENICO DD. PP. Provided the least tradition of the former name was preserved in the present, we might suspect it to be the Tynidrum or Thunudronum of the ancients, which, as it is placed by Ptolemy more than 2° to the westward of Sicca, will not be far distant from this situation. Leaving the lofty mountains of Elboulejiah on the left hand, with the sanctuary of Seedy Boogannim, the Wad al Ha-taab, or River of Wood, together with the fine plains of Fusanah on the right, we come to Spaitla, the ancient Sufetula. This city lies about twelve leagues to the south of Keff, and is one of the most remarkable places in Barbary for the extent and magnificence of its ruins. For there is first of all a sumptuous triumphal arch of the Corinthian order, consisting of one large arch, with a lesser one on each side of it, with these few words of the dedication remaining upon the architrave. IMP. In my journal! had copied it AZIABENICO, though I know not how justly. IMP CAESAR AVG. ONIN SVFFETVLENTIVM . - HANC EDIFICAVERVNT From this arch, all along to the city, there is a pavement like that at Hydrah, of large black stones, with a parapet wall, raised breast high on each side of it, intended perhaps to hinder the populace from incommoding the emperor in his triumphant entrance into the city. Near the end of this pavement, we pass through a beautiful portico, built in the same style and manner with the triumphal arch, which conducts us afterwards into a spacious court. Here we have the ruins of three contiguous temples, whose several roofs, porticos, and facades, indeed are broken down, but the rest of the fabric, with its respective columns, pediments, and entablatures, remain perfect and entire. There is in each of these temples a nich, fronting the portico; and behind that of the middlemost, we have a small chamber, which might have served for the vestry. A Spaitla is pleasantly situated upon a rising ground, shaded all over with juniper trees. little brook glides along the N. E. side of it, which afterwards, in directing its course towards Gilma, loses itself in the sand. This circumstance, which is very common to several other ri |