NATURAL HISTORY BUILDING 25 



being two rows of columns supporting an entablature. From their 

 size, excellent proportions and perfection of workmanship, the col- 

 umns are especially noteworthy. The capitals, patterned after those 

 of the temple of Jupiter Stator in Rome, in their elaborate carving by 

 means of pneumatic tools, show depth and precision of cutting not 

 expected to be obtained in so hard a material as granite, and are 

 striking examples of the possibilities in this direction. The projec- 

 tion of the portico from the wall of the pavilion is 6 feet 1| inches 

 to the center of the front row of columns, and 9 feet If inches to the 

 outer side of the plinth blocks of these columns. The middle part 

 of the pavilion face under the portico roof is recessed to a width of 

 39 feet 1 inch and a depth of 13 feet 2 inches, the inner wall of this 

 recess being pierced for the main entrance door, the opening for 

 which, between the stone masonry, measures 12 feet 9 inches wide by 

 25 feet 9 inches high. 



The floor of the portico is at the same level as the main floor of the 

 building. Except for the 7f-inch water table projection, it has the 

 same width as the projection of the pavilion, namely, 79 feet 5 inches, 

 which it carries to a distance of 11 feet 10^ inches, when it becomes 

 abruptly restricted to a width of 67 feet 1^ inches and extends 6 feet 

 3 inches farther to meet the steps of the south approach, of which 

 it forms the upper landing. It is constructed mainly of the Milford 

 granite, but inside of the inner row of columns and in the three pas- 

 sageways between columns leading into the recess, where the stone 

 is laid in a paneled pattern, a New Jersey granite of a more decided 

 pink color has been used in combination. All other parts of the 

 portico are of the Bethel granite. 



There are six columns in the outer row and two in the inner, the 

 latter standing just within the recess, but the motive of two complete 

 rows of six columns is carried out by the introduction of pilasters on 

 the adjacent walls. The height of the columns as also of the pilasters, 

 including plinth blocks, is 45 feet to the under side of the entablature. 

 The bases, inclusive of a paneled plinth or low pedestal, 6 feet | inch 

 square, are 3 feet 11 inches high ; the shafts, 36 feet 4f inches high ; 

 and the capitals, 4 feet 8i inches high. The shafts of the columns 

 measure 4 feet 3 inches in diameter for one-third of their height, and 

 thence diminish in size to a diameter of 3 feet 7f inches at the neck- 

 ing. They are divided into six nearly equal parts, while the capitals 

 are cut from two stones, being jointed horizontally at the top of and 

 behind the upper row of acanthus leaves. The intercolumniation 

 varies, the distance from center to center of the columns in the outer 

 row being 15 feet 3 inches at the middle of the portico and successively 

 13 feet 10^ inches and 13 feet 1^ inches toward the sides. The dis- 

 tance between the plinth bases of the front and inner rows is 2 feet 

 i inch. 



