Page:History of Art in Phœnicia and Its Dependencies Vol 1.djvu/431

 HARBOURS. 409 the reach of the sea when calm, there are a number of rectangular cavities. These are arranged in rows, chess-board fashion, at horizontal distances of four feet ten inches, with a vertical distance of three feet eight inches between the rows. These holes are ten inches high by seven wide at their mouths ; they go through the whole thickness of the mole at right angles to its major axis. A longitudinal canal of the same calibre runs down the centre of the mass, and connects the transverse channels in each row (Fig 276). By this contrivance the power of the waves would be sensibly diminished, as they would lose part of their force in the pipes, which had a gentle slope to allow the water to flow out again freely. The upper row of channels is now almost at the surface of the mole, a clear proof that the latter was once much higher than it is now. The total height above the sea was probably from sixteen to eighteen feet. FIG. 276. Plan of the mole of Thapsus. I do not think we have dwelt too long upon the remains of Phoenician harbours and dockyards. It was upon such structures that the chief efforts of the people, both in Syria and Africa, were directed, and their development affords the best illustration of the part played by these great traders in the ancient world. Hence we believe that too much stress can hardly be laid upon the necessity for excavating the two great Carthaginian harbours. If this undertaking be put off much longer it will become impossible. Thirty years ago the site was almost a desert ; ground could be broken almost anywhere at the cost of compen- sating some peasant farmer for a few uprooted vines or olives. But since the opening of the railway from Goletta country houses have never ceased to multiply on the peninsula ; they have changed the face of the country and are making excavations more difficult every year. Carthage is not likely to revive altogether ; such a port as modern ships require could hardly be formed there ; to Biserta, the ancient Hippo- Diarrytos, with its fine lake of deep VOL i. 30