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 GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE. 173 distinction the only one ^vlncll exists between tlicse two classes of windows. We shall find, if we examine further, that they differ also materially in other respects — in their mouldings and plan, as well as in their sculpture and orna- ments. We shall find, in fact, whether we consider their general design or their detail, that the points of difference which distinguish Perpendicular windows from Decorated windows ai'O not greater than those which separate these two classes of Decorated windows from one another. We have only to carry our enquiries a step further in order to satisfy ourselves that these points of difference are not confined to the windows alone, but extend also to the buildings to which those windows respectively belong ; and having arrived at this point, we shall not be long in coming to the conclusion that there exists a large and important class of buildings, characterised by the geome- trical forms of their window-tracery, wdiich has hitherto been treated as belonging partly to the Early English and i)artly to the Decorated styles, but which is, in reality, distinct from both, and pre-eminently entitled, from the number and beauty of its examples, to separate classification. To this class of buildings then I propose to assign a Period, em- bracing the latter portion of Mr. Rickman's Early English Period, and the earlier part of his Decorated Period, com- mencing at the point wdiere tracery, properl}" so called, began to be used, and terminating at the point where the leading lines of that tracery began to be no longer circular but flovring. Supposing this period to be adopted as that of a distinct style, we then have the buildings of Pointed archi- tecture divided into four classes, which are characterised by their windows, and therefore easily distinguished. We have 1st, those in which the lancet window^ only appears ; 2ndly, those which contain windows having simple geometrical tracery ; 3rdly, those which have windows of flowing tracery ; and 4thly, those in which the leading lines of the window tracery are vertical and horizontal. To designate any of these periods except the last, by any of the terms hitherto in use, appears to be objectionable, as tending probably to cause confusion and misapprehension ; and to retain the last if the others be abandoned, and a better and more appropriate term can be found, appears to be still less desirable. At the same time it is much to be VOL. IX. A A