Page:Greek Buildings Represented by Fragments in the British Museum (1908).djvu/190

 174 THESEUM, ERECHTHEUM, AND OTHER WORKS. with a flat segmental ceiling, and " arch-stones " have even been looked for, but the segment is but a slight variation from the flat pitch shown on the sections ; the size of the sky-light and the disposition of the coffering remains the same. It was a mere slight alternative suggestion as to the wooden casing of the ceiling. Altogether, I consider it probable that the entire centre part of the cella was open, and how small this was may be seen on the plan. French plans omit the eastern door to the adytum, but Cockerel 1 is conclusive on this point ; it was of " scarcely secondary importance " to the principal entrance, and by it " the first rays of the dawn fell upon the image . . . the remains of which we found there." The most remarkable feature of the temple was the Corinthian column which stood in the middle of the opening between the adytum and the cella. This column was wholly of marble, unlike the others, which were partly of stone. The carving of its capital was very sharp and elegant, yet simple. Some have argued that it must be more recent than the rest, but this view has passed away with fuller knowledge, although it is the earliest Corinthian capital known. Cockerell, who had no doubts on the matter, pointed to the central column in the internal range of the cella of the Parthenon as an analogy with the position of this one. This Corinthian capital is an extremely interesting example of transition, which well shows how the new form derived from the Ionic. We have, as precedent conditions — i, the old Ionic with the angle volute ; 2, the Erechtheum capital with a band of foliage in which acanthus leafage appears, which con- Fig. 172.— Corinthian Capital at Epidaurus.