Chap. 58.] MALTHA. 375 



ancient times the rule was, that the columns should be one- 

 third of the breadth of the temple in height. 



It was in the Temple of Diana, at Ephesus, as originally 

 built, that spirals^^ were first placed beneath, and capitals 

 added : and it was determined that the diameter of the shafts 

 shouhl be one-eighth of their height, and that the spirals 

 should be one-half of the diameter in height, the upper ex- 

 tremity of the shaft being one-seventh less in diameter than 

 the foot. In addition to these columns, there are what are 

 called ''Attic" columns, quadrangular, and Avith equal sides. 



CHA.P. 57. (24.) FIVE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM LIME. 



Lime is also employed very extensively in medicine. For 

 this purpose, fresh lime is selected, which has not been slaked 

 with water. Its properties are caustic, resolvent, and attrac- 

 tive ; and it prevents serpiginous ulcers from spreading, being 

 incorporated with vinegar and oil of roses, for the purpose. 

 When this has been effected, it is tempered with wax and oil of 

 roses, and applied to promote cicatrization. In combination 

 with honey, and liquid resin, or hogs' lard, lime is curative of 

 sprains and scrofulous sores. 



CHAP. 58. MALTHA. 



Maltha^* is a cement prepared from fresh lime ; lumps of 

 which are quenched in wine, and then pounded with hogs* 

 lard and figs, both of them, mollifying substances." It is the 

 most tenacious of all cements, and surpasses stone in hardness. 

 Before applying the maltha, the substance upon which it is 

 used must be well rubbed with oil. 



53 It seems difficult to understand Tvhether by the word " spirze" he 

 means astragals, or bases. It would almost appear, by the use of the word 

 "subditse," that it is "bases" for the shafts. It is just possible, how- 

 ever, that the meaning may be that the ♦' spirae" were placed beneath the 

 capitals which were added, 



=1 A different thing altogether from the Maltha or Pissasphalt of B. ii. 

 c. 108. Festus describes it as a mixture of pitch and wax ; and Palladius, 

 in B. i. c. 17, speaks of it as being composed of tar, grease, and lime 

 boiled ; and in c. 35 he describes Maltha caldaria as a mixture of hamrao- 

 niacum, lags, tow, tar, and melted suet. It was probably a general name for 

 several kinds of cement. Heineccius says that it was employed for seal- 

 ing, but on what authority does not appear. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. 

 Vol. I. p. 141. Bohrds Edition. 



"5 This is perliaps the meaning of " duplici lenimento." The reading, 

 however, is doubtful. 



