in Anatomy. See there, Table of the Muscles.

OLD SARUM, in Wilts, about one mile north of New Sarum or Salisbury, has the ruins of a fort which belonged to the ancient Britons; and is said also to have been one of the Roman stations. It has a double intrenchment, with a deep ditch. It is of an orbicular form, and has a very august look, being erected on one of the most elegant plans for a fortress that can be imagined. In the north-west angle stood the palace of the bishop, whose see was removed hither from Wilton and Sherborn; but the bishop quarrelling with King Stephen, he seized the castle and put a garrison into it, which was the principal cause of its destruction, as the see was soon after removed from hence to Salisbury in 1219. The area of this ancient city is situated on an artificial hill, whose walls were three yards thick, the ruins of which in many places in the circumference are still to be seen, and the tracks of the streets and cathedral church may be traced out by the different colour of the corn growing where once the city stood. Here synods and parliaments have formerly been held, and hither were the states of the kingdom summoned to swear fidelity to William the Conqueror. Here also was a palace of the British and Saxon kings, and of the Roman emperors; which was deserted in the reign of Henry III. for want of water, so that one farm house is all that is left of this ancient city; yet it is called the Borough of Old Sarum, and sends two members to parliament, who are chosen by the proprietors of certain adjacent lands.

In February 1795 a subterraneous passage was discovered at this place, of which we have the following account in the Gentleman's Magazine for March, in a letter dated Salisbury, Feb. 10. "Some persons of Salisbury on Saturday last went to the upper verge of the fortification (the citadel), and on the right hand, after they had reached the summit, discovered a large hole. They got a candle and lantern, and went down a flight of steps for more than 30 yards. It was an arched way seven feet wide, neatly chiseled out of the solid rock or chalk. It is probable the crown of the arch gave way from the sudden thaw, and fell in. There is a great deal of rubbish at the entrance. It appears to be between six and seven feet high, and a circular arch overhead all the way. These particulars I learned from the person who himself explored it; but was afraid to go farther lest it might fall in again and bury him. He thinks it turns a little to the right towards Old Sarum house, and continues under the fossa till it reached the outer verge. The marks of a chisel, he says, are visible on the side. There are two large pillars of square-stone at the entrance, which appear to have had a door at foot. They are 18 inches by 27, of good free-stone, and the mason work is extremely neat. The highest part of the archway is two feet below the surface of the ground.

"It is all now again filled up by order of farmer Whitechurch, who rents the ground of Lord Camelford, and thinks curiosity would bring so many people there as to tread down his grass whenever grass shall be there. I went into it 30 yards, which was as far as I could get for the rubbish. I measured it with a line, and found it extend full 120 feet inwards from the two pillars supposed to be the entrance; then onwards it appeared to be filled to the roof with rubbish. By measuring with the same line on the surface of the earth, I found it must go under the bottom of the outer bank of the outer trench; where I think the opening may be found by digging a very little way. Whether it was a Roman or a Norman work it is difficult to say; but it certainly was intended as a private way to go into or out of the castle; and probably a fort or strong castle was built over the outer entrance. I looked for inscriptions or coins, but have not heard of any being found."