Nineteenth Book
Illustration 414
Fifth figure Water
devoid of mortar. Then, so that the building will be very securely constructed and very durable, a quarter circle reaches to the waves, at the height of the stair, M N. The stairs go clown under the boats, as that is more convenient for loading and unloading. (Illustration 414) By variation the mind is broadened: the more sorne matter is scrutinised or investigated, the more the searcher's judgement strives to become more refined in its enquiries- if he is one engaged in that profession. It is certainly a great satisfaction for the mind to see clifferent forms for a single effect. Somebody might ask [!fol. 415r] what is the reason I have made those arches E in the 'corona lisis', as Vitruvius Pollio calls it in his work 10 • ABare pilasters which support the whole of that wall. On the same subject, I have already said that it is necessary that the waves do not touch anything that will offer them resistance, and I now repeat that assertion yet again; it is preven that the waves will break more easily on the sides of those pilasters A, because they must end their raging there, and then fall back downwards, and so break the waves which follow them. All that could be disputed against me is at G: but that point is far from the waves, and B to O is safer because the waves do not strike so much there, since they are first checked at pilaster A. The outline ground-plan of this design is as follows, together with the elevation: at B there are to be vaults in the opposite direction to che others, in this section, made as indicated in the ground-plan. They too are filled with earth, as stated for the rest, tamped clown well as each floor is laid. See the figure on the next page. The plan which follows shows the difference between the vaults or arches, bread at one end and narrow at the other. These vaults C are filled with earth. [!fol. 415v] B are pilasters between the vaults, the stairs E face into the harbour. This figure too is on the next page. (Illustration 415) lO 'the «corona lisis» as Vitruvius Pollio calls it' ... the corona in fact was part of the cornice of che Vitruvian facade, so its meaning here is obscure.
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