On the behaviour of Granites when exposed to High Temperatures. 
By Frepericx Smuirue, L.L.D., F.G.S8. 
CONTENTS 
IntTRopUcTION III. Porruyrites 
I. Granites IV. Puystcat OBSERVATIONS 
II. GrRanvites V. Summary or Resutts 
APPENDIX 
On Decrees or Hich TEMPERATURE 
INTRODUCTION 
Granites, as well for their beauty of tint, and their interest- 
ing grain and structure, so clear to the eye when polished, the 
promise of durability and wide occurrence, have been favourite 
ornamental and building materials amongst the ancients, 
and at the present day are increasing in favour. Such rocks as 
granite of various types, can now be more readily obtained from 
quarries, in slabs and monoliths of considerable size. It is true 
that the Romans were fully impressed with their value, but 
saved themselves the trouble of quarrying, by the easy expedient 
of despoiling the Egyptians of numbers of the largest and 
choicest monoliths, and erecting them in the capital as trophies 
and embellishments. Rome is said to possess at the least 13 
Egyptian obelisks, either set up in the open spaces of the city, 
or outside the walls. The highest of these is one in the Piazza 
Laterano, brought by Constantius, in 357 A.D., the height of 
the shaft of this obelisk is 105 ft. 7in. The date of its erection 
