Early Christian Ring 385 118. Early Christian Seal 385 119. Impressions of Seals 386 120. Children’s Toys 387 121. Statue of Good Shepherd 390 122. Epitaph of Gemella 401 123. Epitaph of Ligurius Successus 402 124. Epitaph of Domitius 402 125. Epitaph Inverted 404 126. Epitaph Reversed 404 127. Epitaph of Cassta 405 128. Triple Epitaph 405 129. Belicia 500 130. Chamber with Catechumens’ Seats 531 131. Baptismal Font 537 132. Baptism of Our Lord 538 133. Baptismal Scene 539 134. Fresco of Early Christian Agape 546 BOOK FIRST. 11 STRUCTURE AND HISTORY OF THE CATACOMBS. CHAPTER I. STRUCTURE OF THE CATACOMBS. “Among the cultivated grounds not far from the city of Rome,” says the Christian poet Prudentius, “lies a deep crypt, with dark recesses. A descending path, with winding steps, leads through the dim turnings, and the daylight, entering by the mouth of the cavern, somewhat illumines the first part of the way. But the darkness grows deeper as we advance, till we meet with openings, cut in the roof of the passages, admitting light from above. On all sides spreads the densely-woven labyrinth of paths, branching into caverned chapels and sepulchral halls; and throughout the subterranean maze, through frequent openings, penetrates the light.”[1] [Illustration: Fig. 1.--Entrance to the Catacomb of St. Priscilla.] 12