« Vitr. 5.1 | Vitr. 5.1 | Vitr. 5.2 | About This Work »
3The upper columns are to be made one-fourth less than those below; and that because the latter being loaded with a weight, ought to be the stronger: because, also, we should follow the practice of nature, which, in straight growing trees, like the fir, cypress, and pine, makes the thickness at the root greater than it is at top, and preserves a gradual diminution throughout their height. Thus, following the example of nature, it is rightly ordered that bodies which are uppermost should be less than those below, both in respect of height and thickness.
« Vitr. 5.1 | Vitr. 5.1 | Vitr. 5.2 | About This Work »