The names of the Roman Aqueducts are taken from those of the River or Lake which supplies them, or from the emperors who caused them to be constructed. Frontinus gives the following as the origin of the name Virgin Aqueduct : " It is called the Virgin (Virgo), because it was

a young who showed some veins to a few soldiers who girl

were in search of spring water. Those who dug followed these veins and found a great quantity, and there is a painting in a little temple erected close by the source representing this event."

Some of the principal Aqueducts constructed by the ancient Romans in other parts of Europe.

Aqueduct of Nismes.

This is probably one of the most ancient Aqueducts constructed, out of Rome, by the Romans. It is attributed to

Agrippa, son-in-law of Augustus, to whom that emperor gave the government of the country becoming a Roman Colony.

Agrippa, flattered by the honors which he received from the inhabitants of Nismes, made his residence there : he enclosed the town with new walls, built baths, and probably the Aqueduct of the bridge of Gard ("pont du Gard") for bringing water to them.

This Aqueduct is nearly thirty miles in length, forming, in its course, the figure of a horse-shoe. It brought water from

the fountains of Eura and Airan, situated in the neighborhood of the town of Uzes. The bridge of Gard was about the middle part of the work, and the Aqueduct terminated at Nismes.