BIBLICAL LIBRARIES
passage-way running between the inner hall and the outer wall of the building about 40 inches (or 48 inches) wide running on both sides and on its back as far as the apse. On one side, where this approached the apse, there was a flight of steps leading down under the apse where the sarcophagus of Polemaeanus was placed. The object of this passage-way was, it is said, to allow a free circulation of air in order to keep the books from dampness, a parallel to this having been found in the Library of Pergamon. It is supposed also that it contained wooden staircases leading to the upper stories, although no traces of these have been found. A rather mutilated inscription of the founder records that he has established this library with provision for the organization and care of the books, and has provided for its care and the purchase of books 2½ myriads of denarii. This is partly repeated in another in-
[220]
