(in low Latin *catacumbe*, probably from *corda*, and *κύβος*, a cavity), a grotto or subterranean place for the burial of the dead.

The word *catacomb* is said to have been originally applied to the chapel of St Sebastian at Rome, in which the ancient Roman calendars say that the body of St Peter was deposited. The most extensive catacombs in the world are those in the Via Appia, which extend for six miles underground. The entrance to them is in the church of St Sebastian, just without the Porta Capena. They probably were quarries originally, and seem to have been used as sepulchral chambers by the ancient Romans, being, in the opinion of many, the *puticuli*, or grave-pits for slaves, mentioned by Festus Pompeius and others. It is certain that they were used as sepulchres by the primitive Christians, who there found also an asylum in times of persecution. They contain numerous paintings of sacred subjects of the same era, interspersed with the symbol of the cross. These pictures are of considerable importance to the history of the art; as from them it would not be difficult to trace a series, almost unbroken, from the era of ancient art to the date of its reputed revival in Italy. Each catacomb is about three feet broad, and eight or ten high. Along the side walls of the galleries (which communicate with each other, and exhibit no masonry or vaulting), are the niches where the dead were deposited lengthwise parallel to the gallery, in three or four tiers, one above the other; and these were closed with tiles or slabs of marble, admirably cemented. Sometimes, though very rarely, the name of the deceased is found on the tile; frequently a palm is seen, painted or engraven, or the cipher XP, which is commonly read pro Christo.

The best work on the catacombs of Rome is the rare and curious one by Antonio Bosio, entitled *Roma Sotterranea*, first published in 1 vol. folio in 1632, and afterwards in 2 vols. folio, with Latin descriptions; but the first is the most valuable. (See also Artaud, *Voyage dans les Catacombes de Rome*.) There are also ancient catacombs in the Capo di Monte at Naples, and in several other parts of the world.

The catacombs of Egypt have been described by Belzoni and many later travellers. The chambers extend a great distance under ground, and in some instances the walls are adorned with figures and hieroglyphics; in others the mummies are found in tombs ranged round the apartment and hollowed out in the rock.

The so-called catacombs of Paris, situate on the southern side of the Seine, are merely the quarries that furnished the stone of which the city was built. In these subterranean excavations were deposited the bones taken from the several cemeteries previous to the establishment of the system of extramural interment. These are piled in heaps so as to form various quaint devices. The excavations are of such extent that individuals have sometimes perished in their labyrinthine windings; but as they are in many parts knee-deep with water, they are seldom visited, nor indeed are they now open to public inspection.

**CATADROMUS,** in *Antiquity*, a rope stretched in a sloping direction in the theatres, down which the *funambuli* walked to show their skill. Elephants were also taught to descend the *cataadromus*.