Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/282

 250 GRECIAN ARCHITECTURE. Part I. The columns were at first assumed to be bounded by straight lines. It is now found that they have an entasis, or convex profile, in the Parthenon to the extent of -^^^ of the whole height, and are outlined 135. Temple at Delos. Parthenon at Athens. Temple at Corinth. by a very delicate hyperbolic curve ; it is true this can hardly be detected by the eye in ordinary positions, but the want of it gives that rigidity and j^overty to the column which is observable in modern examples.! In like manner, the architrave in all temples was carried u])wards so as to form a very flat arch, just sufticient to correct the ojitical delusion arising from the interference of the sloping lines of the ' These facts have all lioon fully elu- | searches on the Parthenon and other cidated hy Mr. Penrose in his beautiful temples of Greece, published by the work containing the results of his re- i Dilettanti Society.