Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 5.djvu/228

 176 THE INFLUENCE OF A PARABOLIC MOULDING BG=i8.5 inches. BL=7.7 inches. CH^IO.O CM=9.2 DI=10.5 DNrzlO.2 EJ=:11.0 EO = 10.7 EK:=11.1 EP=11.0 From these ineasurements it results, that the figure has been very roughly drawn, since it cannot have been made symme- trical to any axis. It is much nearer a circle than a parabola, and was probably intended to be a semicircle, IAN being pro- duced in tangents IK and N P. It nevertheless has so para- bolic an aspect, that these measurements do not raise a valid objection against considering it as a rude effort to construct a parabola; for the Buddhs, when they formed this symbol, must have had in their minds the idea of that curve. The above measurements, moreover, proving the inability of these monks to construct a parabola, shew that the conic sections were unknown to them. In some instances, four of these symbols having been cut on opposite sides of a square pillar, their lines have been used as guides in cutting away the pillar, and thus an ornamented band has been formed round its centre. Besides the plain octagonal column without base or capital, and the order (figs. 2 and 3) above described, there occurs at Kenneri only one other order, which for the sake of distinction will be called the balustrade order, and of which the varieties will now be described. rig. 6 is a balustrade pilaster, forming the side of a niche on the inner side of the screen, between the vestibule and outer court. The capital, D, is of the cushion form, but differs from the cushion capital of fig. 2. in having a rope moulding round its centre. It is also cleverly converted into a water vessel, its brim, AB, being formed from the basement of the vira-kanth (of fig. 2) ; this form of abacus being transformed into lotus flowers in full bloom, from the midst of which foliage depends. The neck of the column is ornamented with lotus leaves. The roll (F, fig. 2) is con- verted into a double roll, F. The shaft is not octangular but round, and is remarkably short, not being a diameter high ; and further, it is not cylindrical, but sweeps off" so as to have the parabolic character of the moulding. This shaft stands upon two octagonal plinths. Below these is a plain square pedestal about as high as the rest of the })ilastcr.