Gabb, Thomas: Finis pyramidis or Disquisitions concerning the antiquity and scientific end of the great pyramid of Giza, or ancient Memphis, in Egypt, and of the first standard of linear measure (Retford, 1806)

( 2S8 ,

undetermined ; and the reason assigned by him for a
second symmetry of the Ionic capital, on columns very
high, and of small contraction of the upper diameter,
certainly obtains in this Corinthian capital. And his
omission of that provision here, is another argument
against his optical precept : and shafts of ah heights,
should have one and the same contraction, viz, the up»
per diameter 50 minutes,

SECT. VIII.

Of the symmetries of Entablatures,

VITRUVIUS, in a short chapter, explains the
origins of carpentry, which have given rise to the various
denominations of ornaments in freezes and cornices of
entablatures, and some other objects. The substance of
this chapter, is, that columen, which we call the king-
post in a roof, gave the name, column. Cantera, by us
called, principals, in the bands of a roof; these, he says,
projected to the extremity of the eaves, and under the
ends of them were cut the pendant drops, which gave
rise to the ornaments called mutiles. Α-cross the prin-
cipals were the templa, by us denominated, purlins;
Over these the assares, in the same direction as the
principals, from ridge to eaves, these assares answer to
our, spars, or small rafters ; and the ends of these gave,
he says, the idea of denticules ; and, that the ancients
allowed them not to have place under mutiles, because,
the nature of their situation above the canterii, or prin->
cjpals, forbid them to be under mutiles. And, in the
beginning of the chapter, he teaches, that the tigna, our
joists, the ends of which passing through the walls, and
cut oif flush, were thought to be unsightly, were,

therefore