LAB IRINTH, literally a place, usu ally subterraneous, full of inextneable windings. Ancient history gives an ac count of four celebrated labyrinths; the Cretan, Egyptian, Letnnian, and Italian. The first was built by Dredalus at the in stigation of Minos, to secure the Mino taur; the second is said to have been constructed by Psammetichus, king of Egypt ; the third was on the island of Lenmos, and was supported by columns of great beauty; and the fourth was designated by Persenna, king of Etruria, as a tomb for himself and his successors. Of these labyrinths the Cretan is most celebrated in the historical and mytholo gieal writings of antiquity ; but the Egyptian was by far the most important, both in extent and magnificence. The Litter, which was built on the isle of Me roe, was avast edifice, composed of twelve palaces, all contained within the compass of oue wall, and communicating with each other. It bad only one entrance ; but the innumerable turnings and wind ings of the terraces and rooms of which it consisted rendered it impossible for those who had once entered within its walls to get out without a guide. It is said to have been designed either as a burial-place for the Egyptian kings, or for the preservation of the sacred croco diles, the chief objects of Egyptian idola try. It was partly demolished between
the reigns of Augustus and Titus ; but even at the period of Pliny's visit, its ruins were magnificent. With regard to the labyrinth of Crete, no doubt can now remain, after the statements of Cockerel] and Tonrnefort, that its existence was a reality, and not merely a fabulous crea tion of the Grecian imagination. Accord ing to these travellers the island of Crete abounds even at the present day in extensive caverns, one of which, consist ing principally of many long windings and narrow passages that can only be safely explored by means of a clue, ex hibits a wonderful similarity in all es sential particulars to the famous laby rinth of Datdalus. It is impossible, at this distant period, to pronounce with certainty on so difficult a question ; but the substantial coincidences that exist between the ancient and modern laby rinths seem to leave little doubt as to their identity.