24
HISTORY OF ENGINEERING.
Book I.
The passage descended at an angle of 27° 5' for 14 feet, and then went horizontally : atthe distance of 27 feet from the inclined plane, it had been closed by a granite portcullis1 foot S inches in thickness.
The distance from the present entrance to the apartment was in length 71 feet 4 inches ;the apartment measured from north to south 11 feet 8 inches; the height at the sideswas 9 feet 4 inches, and in the centre 12 feet 6 inches. This apartment was in the centre ofthe pyramid, and there had been three tiers of roof blocks, the footings of the upper rowsbeing carried beyond those of the lower, in order that the pressure should be more equallydistributed. These roof blocks were 35 feet in length, 12 feet thick, and 9 feet wide.
• The middle Pyramid had for each side of its square base 274 feet, and its perpendicular height171 feet 4 inches. Here was also an inclined passage and a portcullis; beyond whicha horizontal passage extended 63 feet in length, 5 feet 10 inches in height, and 5 feet 1 inchin width. The width of the apartment at the end was 14 feet; the roof of which hadbeen formed of three tiers of blocks, 48 feet 6 inches in length.
Great Pyrumidy which was on steps, covered with flat stones, the space between theseand the pyramidal casing being filled up with rubble. The lower parts of the casing, aswell as portions of the entrance passage, were of granite: the mortar in general was formedof Nile earth, with a small proportion of lime.
Its base originally measured 359 feet 9 inches, and perpendicular height 227 feet 10 inches.
The entrance passage inclined 26° S'; and where it was continued horizontally, it wasconstructed of large blocks of Tourah stone, with a roof of inclined stones. The apartmentwas covered with a pointed roof, of three courses of blocks, 45 feet in length.
Small Pyramid , originally measured at its base 75 feet 5 inches on each side : the apart-ment within was in length, from east to west, 12 feet 2 inches; from north to south 10feet 6 inches, and in height 8 feet 7 inches. At the south-eastern corner was a recess, 5feet 1 inch in breadth, and 3 feet 5 inches in depth. The horizontal passage was in length14 feet, in height 8 feet 7 inches, and in breadth 2 feet 5 inches. The inclined passagewas 27 feet in length, and 2 feet 10 inches in breadth ; the angle being 22° lO 7 .
Pyramids of Saccara . — The first, much decayed, is a mass of ruins; its present basemeasures on each side 210 feet, and its height 59, the platform at the top being about 50feet square.
The second Pyramid is built with large unsquared stones; the length of the side of theoriginal base is 231 feet 3 inches, its height 146 feet 6 inches. The angle of the inclinedpassage is 26° 35', and its length 78 feet 9 inches. The horizontal passage to the portcullisis in length 31 feet 3 inches; the thickness of the portcullis is 2 feet 3 inches, and fromthence to the chamber 26 feet 9 inches, making the total length 60 feet 3 inches : its width is4 feet 2 inches, and height 6 feet 1 inch. The two principal apartments have pointed roofs,and are lined with calcareous stone. The outer apartment is in length, from east to west,13 feet 7 inches, in breadth, from north to south, 10 feet 3 inches; the height at the sides is10 feet 5 inches, and in the centre 14 feet 2 inches. The inner apartment is in length,from east to west, 25 feet 7 inches, and in breadth, from north to south, 10 feet 3 inches.The rooms at the side, one of which runs from east to west, is 18 feet in length and 8 feetin width. Another, from north to south, is in length 34 feet, and in width 7 feet 3 inches.
The third or Great Pyramid 3 or that of degrees, stands about 91 feet above the level