DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4098#0609
CAVE OF PAN. 555
this are some steps leading to another niche. Towards the mouth
of this cave, a square cavity, about three inches deep, is cut in the
perpendicular surface of the rock; in which a bas-relief, or an in-
scription, upon some other material, appears to have been anciently
inserted.
The cavity is surrounded by an inscription cut in the rock; not a
single word of it is legible. Another inscription is also seen upon a
loose block ; to decipher which all my efforts were vain. Dr. Chand-
ler has published two others, which escaped my notice.
There is no echo in the cave; and, although it was not particu-
larly damp, the air was extremely heavy and disagreeable. We
remained seven hours in this subterraneous abode, and made seve-
ral drawings of its mysterious singularities ; after which we found
it an unusual relief and gratification to revisit the day, to inhale the
aromatic perfume that was wafted from the surrounding pine trees,
and to enjoy the beautiful prospect which this spot commands over
the Saronic Gulph. The sea is about a mile from Bari. Some pro-
jecting capes are seen, with some insular rocks near the shore; the
largest of which is named Phleba.
TO ATHENS.
We quitted the cave in the afternoon, and descending by the
worst of roads through the pine forest, as soon as we reached the
foot of the hill observed several vestiges of antiquity. Having
4 b 2
this are some steps leading to another niche. Towards the mouth
of this cave, a square cavity, about three inches deep, is cut in the
perpendicular surface of the rock; in which a bas-relief, or an in-
scription, upon some other material, appears to have been anciently
inserted.
The cavity is surrounded by an inscription cut in the rock; not a
single word of it is legible. Another inscription is also seen upon a
loose block ; to decipher which all my efforts were vain. Dr. Chand-
ler has published two others, which escaped my notice.
There is no echo in the cave; and, although it was not particu-
larly damp, the air was extremely heavy and disagreeable. We
remained seven hours in this subterraneous abode, and made seve-
ral drawings of its mysterious singularities ; after which we found
it an unusual relief and gratification to revisit the day, to inhale the
aromatic perfume that was wafted from the surrounding pine trees,
and to enjoy the beautiful prospect which this spot commands over
the Saronic Gulph. The sea is about a mile from Bari. Some pro-
jecting capes are seen, with some insular rocks near the shore; the
largest of which is named Phleba.
TO ATHENS.
We quitted the cave in the afternoon, and descending by the
worst of roads through the pine forest, as soon as we reached the
foot of the hill observed several vestiges of antiquity. Having
4 b 2