'♦'♦I 

 ♦V 



Vestibule itself is constructed of wood, and is decorated in 

 front with medallions, on wliicli are inscribed tlie names of 

 Jussieu, DecandoUe, Tournefoi-t, Linnseus, and Eay. 



On entering the doors, the chief point worthy of notice 

 in the Entrance Hall is the laminated ribs on which the roof is 

 supported. The extreme slightness and thinness of these, 

 composed of three j^lanks of wood, varying in thickness from 

 three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a half, seem quite 

 inadequate to the weight placed vipon them ; and had the 

 visitor seen them swaying and bending when in the course of 

 erection, he might with greater reason have doubted their 

 strength. But they are so placed that all the weight rests on 

 each plank on its perpendicular axis ; and they have been 

 tested and found able to bear a weight many times more 

 than that they are called upon to bear. These I'ibs possess 

 another interest, as being the first examples of this plan 

 that have been tried. Originally designed by Captain Fowke 

 for this Entrance Hall, the principle has since been apphed to 

 the erection of the immense central roof of the Great Exhibition 

 BuUding, as well as of the light and airy roofs of both Annexes. 



Facing the entrance are three arched doorways, closed by 

 Clark's revolving shutters. These have been adopted, as serving 

 either for a wall or a door, as may be needed. On ordinary 

 occasions they remain up ; on fete days, when the Council- 

 room is turned into a passage into the Garden, they are drawn 

 down. When they are not opened, the visitor passes to the 

 right or left. The view through the Council-room, as seen on 

 fete days, when the three revolving shutters, doors, or walls of 

 the Board-room are lowered, and three corresponding openings 



