An Abridgment of the Architecture of Vitruvius / Containing a System of the Whole Works of that Author Papyras Classics

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Chapter 14

The Explication Of the Eighth Table

This contains the Proportions of the Ionick Capital, of which only half is seen here: A B is the half of the breadth of the Abacus, which is regulated according to the breadth of the bottom of the Column, of which one half is marked B 18; for the bottom of the Column being divided into 18, 19 are allowed to the Abacus: A C is the Retreat which must be made of the Corner A, of the Abacus inwardly, to draw the Line C D, which must regulate the Eye of the Volute over which it must cross as it passes. To make this Retreat we must take one part and a half of twelve, into which is divided the height or thickness, E F, of the whole Capital, which height is equal to half the breadth of the Abacus. This height, marked C D, is divided into nine parts and a half, of which one and a half is given to the Abacus, and four and a half from the Abacus to the middle of the Eye, which is traversed by the line G H; the Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, mark the four Centers of the first four quarters of the Volute; the four second quarters, and the four third (for the Volutte has twelve) are taken in the Diagonal 1, 3, and 2, 4. H, I, is the Astragal at the top of the Pillar which answers the Eye of the Volute. K K is the Egg or Echinus; L is the Axis of the Volutes; M M is the ceinture of the lateral part of the Volutes. This relates to pag. 103.