I. EARLY CHRISTIAN ART 203 II. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE CATACOMBS 225 III. THE BIBLICAL PAINTINGS OF THE CATACOMBS 282 IV. OBJECTS FOUND IN THE CATACOMBS 362 Book Third. THE INSCRIPTIONS OF THE CATACOMBS. I. GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE INSCRIPTIONS 395 II. THE DOCTRINAL TEACHINGS OF THE INSCRIPTIONS 415 III. EARLY CHRISTIAN LIFE AND CHARACTER AS READ IN THE CATACOMBS 453 IV. MINISTRY, RITES, AND INSTITUTIONS OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH AS INDICATED IN THE CATACOMBS 506 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 8 Fig. Page 1. Entrance to Catacomb of St. Priscilla 12 2. Entrance to Catacomb of St. Prætextatus 16 3. Part of Callixtan Catacomb 17 4. Gallery with Tombs 18 5. Interior of Corridor 20 6. Loculi--Open and Closed 23 7. Tomb of Valeria 24 8. Arcosolium with Perforated Slab 25 9. Plan of Double Chamber 26 10. Section of Gallery and Cubicula 27 11. Suite of Chambers 28 12. Vaulted Chamber with Columns 29 13. Cubiculum with Arcosolia 30 14. Section of Catacomb of Callixtus 32 15. Cubicula with Luminare 35 16. Gallery in St. Hermes 42 17. Part of Wall of Gallery in St. Hermes 42 18. Slab in Jewish Catacomb 51 19. Epitaph of Martyrus 66 20. Reputed Martyr Symbol 77 21. Epitaph of Lannus, a Martyr 98 22. Secret Stairway in Catacomb of Callixtus 101 23. Diogenes the Fossor 133 24. Fossor at Work 134 25. Tombs on Appian Way 165 26. Plan of Area in Callixtan Catacomb 171 27. Plan of Crypt of St. Peter and St. Paul 187 28. Crypt of St. Peter and St. Paul 188 29. Section of Catacomb of Helena 191 30. Entrance to Catacomb of St. Agnes 195 31.