TASCVRI FLAVI FAVSII FILIA
CONI . . . . ET III COCCLIVS SIVIRVS
PIISSIMO PATRI VIX. ANNIS LXXX
H.S.E.
As usual with such tombs, it goes by the name of Es-Souma, the minaret. About a mile further on are the remains of a Roman post, supposed to be the ancient Tymphes. It is called by the Arabs Kasr el-Kasir, and a fragment of an inscription was found here bearing the legend
RESPVBL . T . . . .
Shortly after passing this the road enters very beautiful mountain scenery; the hills are clothed with oak and Aleppo pine, with here and there a wild almond tree. At the foot of the eastern slope is a spring, Ain el-Amba, which has been led into a drinking-fountain, and from this place, indeed from the crest of the hill above it, there is a good trace of a road commenced by the French but not finished, as far as Tebessa.
The distance from Ain Khenchla to Tebessa is 57 miles, which we did in three days. It is a most unsatisfactory journey to make, and I should recommend anyone following in our footsteps to go by diligence viâ Ain Beida in preference.
FOOTNOTES:
[85]Marchand, Ann. Soc. Arch. Const. vol. x. p. 167; Ragot, l.c. vol. xvi. p. 207.