Microscopical Essays. 301 



Thefe apartments -eompofe an intricate labyrinth, which ex- 

 tends a foot or more in diameter from the royal chamber on every 

 fide. Here the nurferies and magazines of provifions begin, and 

 being feparated by fmall empty chambers and galleries, which go 

 round them, or communicate from one to the other, are continued 

 on all fides to the outward {hell, and reach up within it two-thirds 

 or three-fourths of it's height, leaving an open area in the middle 

 under the dome, which very much refembles the nave of an old 

 cathedral ; this is furrounded by three or four very large gothic- 

 fhaped arches, which are fometimes two or three feet high next 

 the front of the area, but diminifh very rapidly as they recede 

 from thence, like the arches of aides in perfpective, and are foon 

 loft among the innumerable chambers and nurferies behind them. 



All thefe chambers, and the paflages leading to and from them, 

 being arched, they help to fupport one another; and while the 

 interior large arches prevent them falling into the center, and 

 keep the area open, the exterior building fupports them on the 

 outride.. 



There are, comparatively {"peaking, few openings into the great 

 area, and they for the mod part feem intended only to admit that 

 genial warmth into the nurferies which the dome collects. 



The interior building, or aiTemblage of nurferies, chambers,. 

 Sec. has a flattifti top, or roof, without any perforation, which 

 would keep the apartments below dry, in cafe through accident 

 the dome mould receive any injury, and let in water ; and it is- 

 never exactly flat and uniform, becaufe they are always adding to 

 it by building more chambers and nurferies : fo that the divifions, 



qj: 



