The necropolis of Perusia offers a rich field for research ; and of late years, since attention has been directed to excavations in Etruria, numerous tombs have been brought to light. This is principally owing to the archæological zeal of the Cavaliere Vermiglioli, to whom it is also due that many of these sepulchres, fortunately for the student of antiquity, remain in statu quo, with all their urns, just as they were discovered.

Grotta de'Voluoti.

First and foremost in magnitude and beauty, and rivalling in interest the most celebrated sepulchres of the land, is the “Tomb of the Volumnii,” which no one who visits, or even passes through Perugia, should omit to see. It is easy of accomplishment, for the high-road to Rome passes the very door. It lies about two miles from Perugia, in the slope of a low eminence, which rises at the base of the lofty height on which the city stands. The keys are kept at a house hard by the tomb.

You descend a long flight of steps to the entrance, now closed by a door of wood: the ancient one, a huge slab of travertine, which was placed against it—a mere “stone on the mouth of the sepulchre,”—now rests against the rock outside.