446 ARCHITECHNICS. 



blocks, like the ends of rafters, with guttse or conical drops under- 

 neath ; above which is the corona, or larmier, projecting far out to 

 form the eaves ; and above this is the echinus, or crowning mould- 

 ing. The best model of this order, is the Parthenon, or temple of 

 Minerva, in the Acropolis or citadel of Athens. 



The Ionic order, (Plate X.), is more slender than the Doric, and 

 is recognized by its simple volutes, or parallel scrolls, one on each 

 side of the capital ; their front ends being connected by what is called 

 an apron ; with an echinus, but no leaves, underneath. The Attic 

 base, as well as the peculiar Ionic, consists of two toruses, (tori), 

 or projecting mouldings, and an intermediate scotia. The columns 

 are usually 7 or 8 diameters high ; and the entablature less than one- 

 third as high as the columns. The architrave consists of either one 

 or three fascias, or distinct and slightly projecting surfaces ; but the 

 frieze is undivided, though often sculptured. The cornice has a row 

 of dentils, or small tooth-like blocks, instead of mutules, underneath 

 the corona ; above which, the crowning moulding is usually a cyma- 

 tium. As examples of this order, we may mention the Erectheum, 

 in the Acropolis at Athens ; and the temple of Diana at Ephesus. 



The Corinthian order, (Plate X.), still more delicate than the 

 Ionic ; from which it is distinguished also by two rows of leaves, 

 sculptured on the capital, beneath the apron. The Corinthian base 

 has two scotias, alternating with three toruses ; and the capital has 

 not only four volutes, meeting obliquely at the angles, but smaller 

 spirals, called caulicolse, between the leaves of the upper row ; the 

 whole surmounted by an ornamental abacus. The column is 9 or 10 

 diameters high ; the shafts, as in the preceding orders, being generally 

 fluted, or cut in grooves ; and the entablature is rather lower than 

 the Ionic, in proportion to the height of the column. The architrave 

 has three fascirs ; the frieze is either plain, or sculptured with 

 figures ; and the cornice has dentils, and a corona, like the Ionic ; 

 but is surmounted by dactyls, a favorite Grecian ornament, resembling 

 leaves, united in clusters, like the fingers. The purest Corinthian 

 model, was the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, in the Acropolis 

 at Athens ; built before this order was modified by the Roman con- 

 quest. 



The Romans adopted the three Grecian orders ; but altered them, 

 we think generally for the worse ; by the introduction, for instance, 

 of circular arcs, instead of elliptical, for the section or contour of the 

 mouldings ; and by adding a profusion of sculptured ornaments. 

 The Tuscan order, is like the Roman Doric, deprived of its triglyphs; 

 and the Composite order, also added by the Romans, may be re- 

 garded as a combination of the Roman Ionic and Corinthian ; though 

 sometimes less ornamented than the latter: whereas, it would seem 

 to belong at the end of the scale, as the lightest and gayest of all 

 the orders. The Arch of Titus, at Rome, was of the Composite 

 order ; but the Pantheon and temple of Jupiter Stator, were of the 

 Corinthian. The Coliseum, at Rome, was a vast amphitheatre, 

 capable of holding more than 90,000 persons. The great modern 

 churches, St. Peter's at Rome, and St. Paul's in London, are 

 essentially in the Roman style. 



