LABYRINTH

a maze or series of intricate pa ages through which it is difficult to find one’s way. The L. of Crete was said to have been built by Dedalus for King Minos. Here was kept the Minotaur. Recent excavations in Crete have revealed what may have been the L. of Minos. The Hgyptian L. was situated not far from Crocodilopolis, above Lake Moeris in the district of the Fayum. It contained about 3,000 rooms, and was half under and half above the ground. It was visited by Hero dot us and Strabo, and was mentioned as one of the wonders of the world. The Clusium L. in Italy was built by the Etruscans as a sepulchre for King Porsenna. L’s were also in existence at Lemnos and Samos, but their sites have not been discovered. Other L’s existed at Nauplia, Sypontium, Italy, and at Val d’Ispica, Sicily. { L’s in gardens are known as mazes, and are generally constructed of privet hedges so arranged that it is difficult for the visitor to find his way to the center, or out again.