In the centre of the view, at the foot, are seen the boards for the wheelbarrows of the workmen, leaning against the top of the arch of the great subterranean drain to carry off the water when it was let off with a rush after the naval fights. Under the boards are remains of an ancient iron grating, to prevent any object being carried off into the drain by the force of the water. On each side of these boards are traces of the flood-gate, by which the water could be stopped, or the rate of it regulated. Beyond this, on each side, is a wide arch of stone parallel to the great central passage. These arches open into two large and lofty vaulted chambers of considerable length, passing under the galleries. In the pavement of the floor in each of these is a line of seven sockets for pivots to work in, some of which retain the bronze socket, in others it has been torn out. Between the two great round-headed arches is seen a square-topped opening at the end of a long passage over the great drain. This was the passage for the animals that were brought through it in their cages, excepting the elephants, which were led into the large dens provided for them, two on each side of the passage further on. Above this was the state entrance from the south towards S. Clement’s and the Lateran, and on each side are the ruins of the galleries as before. THE COLOSSEUM. PLATE V. INTERIOR, TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST, WITH THE SUBSTRUCTURES IN 1874. [Illustration: THE COLOSSEUM IN 1874 INTERIOR S.W.—THE SUBSTRUCTURES] DESCRIPTION OF PLATE V. INTERIOR, TOWARDS THE SOUTH-WEST, WITH THE SUBSTRUCTURES IN 1874. Immediately to the right, and nearly in the centre of the picture, is seen the earth not then excavated when this view was taken. In front of this, as shewn to the right of the picture, is one of the ancient walls of tufa faced with brick, which carries on its right-hand side one of the canals of water. To the left of the view, close under the _podium_, is seen another wall of tufa, but cut, and with vertical grooves clearly seen in it; these were for the lifts. Behind this are the arches of the dens of the wild beasts, under the path in front of the _podium_; then the _podium_ itself, with square recesses in it, usually said to have been for men to take refuge in, should the animals be able to spring over the net-work in front; but this is not probable, when we see the precautions taken: they were more likely for the athletes, or for the attendants or guards under the state gallery. Behind this are the ruins of the galleries and the windows of the corridors, as before. THE COLOSSEUM. PLATE VI. INTERIOR, AT THE SOUTH-EAST END. WITH THE EARLY WALLS OF TUFA. [Illustration: THE COLOSSEUM IN 1874. INTERIOR S.E. END WITH THE EARLY WALLS] DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VI. INTERIOR, AT THE SOUTH-EAST END. WITH THE EARLY WALLS OF TUFA.