Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/379

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
AT WHEATLEY, OXON.
353

as the one first discovered. It was lined inside with fine stucco or plaster, 11/2 in. thick, and outside this were 2 inches of mortar. It rested on large tiles like those before mentioned, supported by pillars of smaller tiles similar to those before described, but not at such regular intervals. Further heat from the furnace was communicated to this boiler by rows of vertical flue-tiles or pipes, behind the stucco of its sides, these are quadrangular, and measure 8 in. by 31/2, they are smooth and blackened with soot in the inside, but scored on the outside to make them adhere to the mortar. Many of these are entire, and remain in situ. On the south side a leaden pipe, quite perfect, passes from the bottom of this cistern through the outer wall. This pipe probably conducted the hot water to the bath at the east end of the calidarium. The boiler had its stucco lining more perfect than the bath at the south-east end of the hypocaust.

Archaeological Journal, Volume 2, 0379.png

Cistern for heating water, with the Fireplace and Flues.

Dr. Buckland having applied to T. Grove, Esq., of Ferns, near Shaftesbury, the proprietor of the land, for permission to preserve these interesting remains, which are within an hour's walk of Oxford, this gentleman immediately authorized him to do