In this view the grooves in the walls are clearly seen on both sides of the passage between them, and the arches of the dens behind the outer wall. The lions, or other wild animals about that size, passed from the dens through an opening in the wall into the cages provided for them in this passage. The cages were placed upon lifts, and when the word was given by the emperor, were all pulled up at once to the arena, or floor of boards, with trap-doors in it all along over this passage. We are told by Herodian (as has been shewn in the text, p. 26) that on one occasion a hundred lions leaped on to the stage or arena at the same time, and appeared to the spectators in the gallery to “leap out of the earth;” the sand with which the floor was covered over would have that appearance when the trap-doors, and lifts, and the tops of the cages along with them, were opened from below. In the passage is a long series (one behind the place for each cage and lift) of sockets seen in the pavement, apparently each for a capstan to wind the twenty-one feet of cord upon, when the cage was pulled up to the top, and the trap-doors opened. THE COLOSSEUM. PLATE VII. VIEW AT THE SOUTH-EAST END. [Illustration: THE COLOSSEUM 1875. VIEW OF SOUTH EAST END] DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VII. VIEW AT THE SOUTH-EAST END. This plate is from an excellent drawing of Signor Cicconetti, made chiefly from the photographs, in order to explain them more clearly. The photographs are evidence of historical facts, which no drawing alone can be, because drawings are always liable to errors, accidentally or otherwise. Unfortunately drawings are very often made to suit the idea either of the artist who draws the object as he thinks “it must have been,” or to suit the view of the person who orders the drawing. These drawings can be compared with the photographs throughout, and make them more easy to understand. A. Wooden framework (?), cradle (?), or dry dock (?). B, B. Marble slabs placed upright, to serve as struts to support the galleys standing on the frame. C, C. Walls of the central passage. D. Line of one of the canals. E, E. Ancient tufa walls, with the dens behind them. F, F. Podium and state gallery. G, G. Principal gallery. H, H. Second gallery. I. Top gallery, added after the fire. K. Drain or cloaca. L. Passage for animals. M. State entrance and corridor. N. Modern buttress. THE COLOSSEUM. PLATE VIII. PLAN OF THE SOUTHERN HALF, AT THE LOWEST LEVEL, SHEWING THE EXCAVATIONS IN 1874 AND 1875. [Illustration: THE COLOSSEUM—PLAN AT THE LOWEST LEVEL IN 1875.] DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VIII. PLAN OF THE SOUTH-EASTERN HALF, AT THE LOWEST LEVEL, SHEWING THE EXCAVATIONS IN 1874 AND 1875. A, A. The frame, cradle, or dry dock, for the galleys to stand upon when not wanted for use. F, F. The _podium_. L. The passage for animals. T, T. Lofty vaulted chambers, with seven sockets in a line in each. V. Subterranean side-passage, called of Commodus.