Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/205

 advanced spurs of this eminence, MM. Rebatel and Tirant have discovered a prehistoric necropolis, comprising nearly three hundred dolmens, all disposed in the direction from east to west. In a defile near Mount Zaghwan is the pass of the "Saw," in which the mercenaries were massacred at the close of that atrocious war which threatened the existence of Carthage.

Imposing or pleasant views follow in succession along the skirts of this mountainous mass; but the most charming prospect is presented by the district which surrounds the nymphæum of the great fountain whence the aqueduct of Carthage drew its chief supply. This temple, standing on a terrace over a mile south of Zoghwan, and half-way up the mountain's side, is built on the solid rock, and is finished with peristyles, steps, and basins, whose dazzling whiteness contrasts vividly with the green trees and the various colours of the boulders scattered over the slope of the mountain.

The aqueduct of Zaghwan is connected with that of Jebel Jughar, which carries a less copious stream, and the two currents unite in the now restored Roman aqueduct, which stretches northwards in the direction of Tunis and Goletta for a total distance, including its branches, of 80 miles.

The subterranean parts of the aqueduct have been to a large extent utilised for the new canal, but wherever the depressions of the ground were crossed by long rows of arcades, the arches have been replaced by underground pipes disposed on the principle of the siphon. South of the passage of the Wed Melian, a section of the ancient aqueduct can be followed uninterruptedly for more than a mile, some