20

HISTORY OF ENGINEERING.

Book I.

machines mentioned by Herodotus , by which the stones were successively raised step bystep, and imbedded in their proper places ; after which the coating or casing commenced attop, and the work was finished by progressing downwards; at least so it is reported by thefather of history.

l-'ig. 25.

The eighth Pyramid had a square base, the side of which was 172 feet 6 inches in length,a perpendicular height of 111 feet, an inclined height of 140 feet, and the angle of itsside was 52° 10'. The sepulchral chamber was in length, from east to west, 12 feet 9inches, and its breadth 10 feet 3 inches; its entrance is very much broken. (S cojig. 26.)

The ninth Pyramid measured on each side at its base 160 feet: its perpendicular heightwas 101 feet 9 inches, and its inclined height 130 feet 6 inches. The angle that its sidesformed was 52 J 10 7 . Like the others, it had passages, an ante-room, and a sepulchralchamber, which was in length 12 feet 3 inches, in breadth, from north to south, 3 feet 6inches, and in height 8 feet 6 inches. The entrance is very much broken, and appearsto have been greatly disturbed ; it was by descent, like most of the others; the stoneswhich formed it were of enormous dimensions, and laid with great care; that which servedas a lintel weighed many tons, and must have required the aid of a powerful lever tolift it into its place. By means of an inclined plane, these large blocks were rolled fromtheir quarries, after which the machine mentioned by Herodotus was made use of.

These pyramids astonish us by the enormous manual labour bestowed upon them.