Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Emissarium

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

EMISSA'RIUM. An emissary; any artificial canal formed with the object of draining off a stagnant body of water. (Cic. Fam. xvi. 18. Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 21.) Remains of some stupendous works of this nature are still to be seen in Italy, constructed as emissaries for the lakes of Albano and Fucino (Suet. Claud. 20. Plin. H. N. xxxvi. 24. § 11.); the first in consequence of an alarm felt that the waters would overflow, and inundate the country; the other for the purpose of reclaiming the land with a view to cultivation. The last, which remains nearly entire, and has been cleared out and made passable by the king of Naples, consists of a tunnel more than three miles in length, a large portion of which was excavated by the hammer and chisel through a stratum of hard rock, forming the basis of the mountain through which it passes at a depth of 1000 feet below the highest summit. The remainder, which lies but a few feet below the surface of the earth, is entirely vaulted in brick; of which material the archway through which the water was discharged into the river Liris, is composed; but the embouchure fronting the lake presents a fine architectural elevation of masonry.