261			211
                                                                      
	A kind of Ellipse or horseshoe is incidentally produced in           	          DUCAL PALACE  NICHES  ST MARKS  NICHES
the foliation from Cremona p 46 1.                                    	it has on its north and south sides, the arch fig 2
                                                                      p 48 1 more accurately fig 1 p 49 1 a very pure and
                                                                      graceful pointed arch and foliation, while on its eastern
                                                                      and western sides it has the only genuine egg shaped
                                                                      arch I ever saw, with an elliptical foliation carefully
                                                                      drawn with spandril at p 48 fig 3.  The cusp in both
                                                                      arches is perfectly plain:  the capitals are as in the
                                                                      south eastern niche.
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      
                                                                      St Marks.
                                                                           Niches of St Marks.  One is superior to all the rest that noted as
                                                                      (2) at p 60 St M. it is the last of all - farthest back
                                                                      from the square on North side, and on the projecting angle
                                                                      one of its sides has had the cusps restored.  It is
                                                                      the simplest possible plan of a niche:  it has four sides
                                                                      eight massy simple slabs of stone;  cut into the cusps
                                                                      and mouldings;  and a flat top with a hole in the centre -
                                                                      no vaulting whatever - then the pyramidal canopy is set
                                                                      on this level slab:  This plan of niche is adopted in
                                                                      more elaborate works and an imitative vaulting filled
                                                                      in with plaster;  but I like the simple and massy masonry
                                                                      of these square ones better.  I am not certain
                                                                      of the jointing, but there is one joint certainly
                                                                      through the apex of each arch, and the other fitted at
                                                                      each angle among the dentils

[Version 0.05: May 2008]