OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 335 



§ 4. Order I. — Bundle Columns. 



Under this order I have classed all columns in which a bunch of 

 water-plants without open flowers, is directly or indirectly represented. 

 This is probably the oldest,* and on the whole the most characteristic 

 variety of Egyptian columns. So fully does it typify the architectu- 

 ral genius of the nation that Ruskin (and others) may perhaps be 

 pardoned the sweeping reference to Egyptian columns in general as 

 " the gathered strength of river reeds." f The derivation of the 

 order and its significance as an aesthetic product will be reverted to 

 after some description has been given of its members, varieties, and 

 decorations. 



Shaft. — We shall begin with the shaft, because the varieties of 

 structure which it exhibits afford the best basis for further classifica- 

 tion. Three such varieties appear on the most casual examination, 

 distinguished from each other by the different representation of stalks 

 on the body of the shaft. In some cases only four stalks are delin- 

 eated, in some, eight ; while in others the number of stalks is not 

 distinctly affirmed, but the general outline and many of the character- 

 istics of the eight-stalk variety are so plainly employed that it is 

 impossible not to regard this third variety as a modification or relative 

 of the second. If these differences are made the basis of division, 

 our classification may be thus extended : — 



Order I. — Bundle Columns. 

 (a.) Four stalks in shaft. 

 (b.) Eight stalks in shaft, stalks defined. 

 (c.) Eight (?) stalks in shaft, stalks undefined. (See cuts.) 



Adopting this scheme provisionally, let us pause a moment to ex- 

 amine the bottom of the shaft. 



The lower part of the shaft displays two kinds of formation. Either, 

 as in (a), the stems that compose it are cut off abruptly so as to rest 

 squarely on the plinth ; or, as in (b) and (c), the base is much con- 

 tracted, as if the constituent plants are conceived to be springing from 

 the plinth in a dense cluster. The first form gives the impression of 

 greater stability and of material architecturally well utilized ; the 

 second, of greater naturalness and of a more conscious artistic effort. 

 When uncontracted, the base is also undecorated ; but when con- 

 tracted, it is enveloped in leaf-like sheaths which seem to grow out of 



* This statement rests on internal evidence. See the hypothesis offered at 

 the end of this section to account for the origin of the order, 

 t Stones of Venice, vol. i. ch. 8. 



