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CHAPTEK III.

OF FOUNDATIONS; AND OF COLUMNS AND THEIRORNAMENTS.

If solid ground can be come to, the foundations shouldgo down to it and into it, according to the magnitudeof the work, and the substruction should be built up assolid as possible. Above the ground of the foundation,the wall should be one-half thicker than the columns it isto receive, so that the lower parts which carry the greatestweight, may be stronger than the upper part, which iscalled the stereobata; nor must the mouldings of thebases of the columns project beyond the solid. Thus,also, should be regulated the thickness of all walls aboveground. The intervals between the foundations broughtup under the columns, should he either rammed downhard, or arched, so as to prevent the foundation piers fromswerving. If solid ground cannot be come to, and theground be loose or marshy, the place must be excavated,cleared, and either alder, olive, or oak piles, previouslycharred, must be driven with a machine, as close to eachother as possible, and the intervals, between the piles,filled with charcoal. The heaviest foundations may he laidon such a base. When they are brought up level, thestylobatse (plinths) are placed thereon, according to the ar-rangement used, and above described for the pycnostylos,systylos, diastylos or eustylos, as the case may be. In thearaeostylos it is only necessary to preserve, in a peripteralbuilding, twice the number of intercolumniations on theflanks that there are in front, so that the length may betwice the breadth. Those who use twice the number ofcolumns for the length, appear to err, because they thusmake one intercolumniation more than should be used.The number of steps in front should always be odd, since,in that case, the right foot, which begins the ascent, will