Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1832)

90 DESCRIPTION OF

The alcove has been highly decorated,
but, from the total absence of symmetry in
the compartments, they seem to have been
taken from some other building and placed
here. Neither the circular vent for the va-
pour, which was here abundant, nor the
quadrangular holes in the vault, are regular.

The hole for the lamp, which was glazed
with a curved glass like that of a watch, ad-
mitted light both toward the caldarium and
to the portico of the court.

The labrum* at the farther end would
probably have had a more elegant support
than the block now existing, had not a flaw
in the marble rendered so wide a basement
necessary.

The figure in front shows the height of
the cistern of the hot-bath above the pave-

* In the history of the Fratelli Arvali by Marini we find an
inscription referring to objects so exactly similar to those found
in the laconicum and tepidarium at Pompeii, that it is worth
notice.

ALFIA. P. F. QVARTILLA. BALINEVM'
MVLIEBRE A SOLO SVA PEC. EXTRVXIT
EADEM LAP1DE VARIO
ORNAVIT LABRVM AENEVM
FOCVLO SEDES POSVIT.