composed, but especially on the south and south-west. The cloisters (15th century) generally decomposed, particularly the mullions and tracery. WESTMINSTER ABBEY (13th century). Built of several varieties of stone, similar to that of Gatton or Ryegate, which is much decomposed, and also of Caen stone, which is generally in bad condition; a considerable portion of the exterior, especially on the north side, has been restored at various periods, nevertheless abundant symptoms of decay are apparent. The cloisters, built of several kinds of stone, are in a very mouldering condition, except where they have been recently restored with Bath and Portland stones. The west towers, erected in the beginning of the 18th century with a shelly variety of Portland oolite, exhibit scarcely any appearance of decay. Henry the Seventh's Chapel, restored about twenty years since with Combe Down Bathstone, is already in a state of decomposition.

WINDRUSH CHURCH (15th century). Of an oolite from the immediate vicinity; in ex. cellent condition. A Norman door on the north side, enriched with the bird's-beak and other characteristic ornaments, is in perfect condition. Tombstones in the churchyard, very highly enriched and bearing the dates of 1681, 1690, apparently of Windrush stone, are in perfect condition.

WYKE CHURCH, Dorsetshire (15th century). Of oolite, similar to Portland, the whole in good condition, except the mullions, tracery, and dressings of doors and windows, which are constructed of a soft material, and are all decomposed. On the south side, the ashler is in part covered with rough-cast. The entire building is thickly covered with lichens.

MAGNESIAN LIMESTONE BUILDINGS.

BEVERLEY, Yorkshire. The minster (12th, 13th, and 14th centuries), of magnesian limestone from Bramham Moor, and an oolite from Newbold; the former, which is used in the west tower, central tower, and more ancient parts of the minster, generally in good condition; but in other parts of the building the same material is decomposed. The Newbold stone, chiefly employed on the east side, is altogether in a bad condition. Some of the pinnacles are of Oulton sandstone, and are in bad condition. The building is partly covered with lichens. St. Mary's Church (14th century), now in course of restoration, of magnesian limestone and oolite, supposed to be from Bramham Moor and Newbold, respectively. The ancient parts are in a very crumbling state, even to the obliteration of many of the mouldings and enrichments. BOLSOVER CASTLE, Derbyshire (1629). Mostly in ruins; of magnesian limestone of several varieties, and of a calcareous fine-grained sandstone. The dressings, which are generally of sandstone, are much decomposed, in some instances to the entire obliteration of the mouldings and other decorations, and to the destruction of the form of the columns, rustications, &c. Most of the string courses, a portion of the window dressings, and the ashler, which are of magnesian limestone, are generally in excellent condition.

BOLSOVER CHURCH, Derbyshire (15th century). Of a magnesio-calciferous sandstone, more or less in a decomposed state throughout.

CHEPSTOW CASTLE, Monmouthshire (11th and 12th centuries, with additions of the 14th century). Of mountain limestone and old red sandstone; the former in good condition, the latter decomposed. Dressings of door, window, archway, and quoins are for the most part of magnesian limestone, and in perfect condition. The remainder is of red sandstone, and is generally much decomposed. Chapel (of the 12th century),

mouldings and carvings of windows, &c., which are of magnesian limestone, in perfect condition

DONCASTER (OLD) CHURCH (15th century). Of an inferior magnesian limestone, generally much decomposed, more especially in the tower, and on the south and west sides; now under general and extensive repair.

HEMINGBOROUGH CHURCH, Yorkshire (15th century). Of a white crystalline magnesia limestone. The entire building is in a perfect state, even the spire, where no traces o decay are apparent.

Howden Church, Yorkshire (15th century). Partly of magnesian limestone of a dee yellow colour, and partly of a coarse siliceous grit of a ferruginous colour. Dressing and enrichments, and the central tower, are of the former stone, generally decomposed particularly at the top of the tower. The other parts of the edifice, built of the gri are very much decomposed.

HUDDLESTONE HALL, Yorkshire (15th century). Of semi-crystalline magnesian limeston from the neighbouring quarry. In excellent condition, even to the entire preservatio of the mouldings of the chapel window in the south-west front. The outer gate pie in the fence wall, also of magnesian limestone, very much decomposed.

KNARESBOROUGH CASTLE, Yorkshire (12th century). Magnesian limestone, carious in part

generally in very good condition, except on the south and south-west portions of the circular turrets, where the surface is much decomposed. The mouldings generally are in a perfect state. The joints of the masonry, which is executed with the greatest care, are remarkably close. The stone of the keep, which is of a deep brown colour, and much resembles sandstone, is in good condition, especially on the south-west

side.

The

KONINGSBOROUGH CASTLE, Yorkshire (Norman). Coarse-grained and semi-crystalline magnesian limestone, from the hill eastward of the castle; in perfect condition. masonry is executed with great care, the joints very close, but the mortar within them has disappeared. RIPON CATHEDRAL. Lower part, east end, south-east angle (Norman), of coarse sandstone from the vicinity, in good condition. The west front, the transepts, and tower (of the 12th and 13th centuries), of coarse sandstone of the vicinity, in fair condition. The mouldings, although generally decomposed, are not effaced. The dog's-teeth ornament in most parts nearly perfect. The aisles of the nave, the clerestory, and the choir (of the 14th and 15th centuries), of coarse sandstone and magnesian limestone intermixed, not in good condition. The latter stone, on the south side, often in fair condition. The lower parts of the building generally, particularly the west fronts, which are of coarse sandstone, are much decomposed. An obelisk, in the marketplace (1781), of coarse sandstone, is much decomposed, and in laminations parallel to the exposed faces. ROBIN HOOD'S WELL, Yorkshire (1740). A rusticated building, of magnesian limestone, in perfect condition.

The

ROCHE ABBEY, Yorkshire (12th century). Inconsiderable remains, of semi-crystalline magnesian limestone from the neighbouring quarry, generally in fair condition. mouldings and decorated portions are perfect. Gate-house (12th century) generally decomposed, with the exception of the dressings and mouldings, which are perfect. SELBY CHURCH, Yorkshire (nave and lower part of the tower of the 11th century; the west front and aisles of the 12th century; and the choir with its aisles of the 14th century). The Norman portion of the building, which is of grey magnesian limestone, is in excellent condition, particularly the lower part. The early English portions of the building are also of magnesian limestone, and in a partially decomposed state. later portions of the building, which also are of magnesian limestone, are much decomposed and blackened.

The

SOUTHWELL CHURCH, Notts (of the 10th century). Of magnesian limestone, similar to that of Bolsover Moor, in perfect condition. The mouldings and enrichments of the doorway appear as perfect as if just completed. The choir, which is of the 12th century, and built of a stone similar to that of Mansfield, is generally in good condition. SPOPFORTH CASTLE, Yorkshire (14th century). Of coarse red sandstone, generally much decomposed. The dressings of the windows and doors, of a semi-crystalline magnesian limestone, are in a perfect state, the mouldings and enrichments being eminently sharp and beautiful.

STUDLEY PARK, Yorkshire. Banquetting house, about 100 years old, of yellowish magnesian limestone, in perfect condition.

THORPE ABBEy Village. The houses generally of this village are built of magnesian limestone from the vicinity; they are in excellent condition, and of a very pleasing colour.

THORPE SALVIN, near Worksop. Manor-house (15th century), in ruins. Of a siliciferous magnesian limestone and a sandstone, in unequal condition; the quoins and dressings are generally in a perfect state. Parish Church (15th century), also of a siliciferous variety of magnesian limestone and a sandstone, in unequal but generally fair condition. A Norman doorway under the porch is well preserved. TICKHILL CHURCH, Yorkshire, (15th century). Of magnesian limestone, in excellent condition. The lower part of the tower (of the 12th century) also in fair condition. YORK. Ancient Buildings : CATHEDRAL (transepts, 13th century; tower, nave, &c., 14th century). Of magnesian limestone, from Jackdaw Craig. West end and towers restored thirty years since; they are generally in fair condition, but some of the enriched gables and other decorations are obliterated. The transepts are in many places much decomposed, especially in the mouldings and enrichments. The central tower is generally in good condition, but several of the enriched parts are decomposed. St. Mary's Abbey (12th century), of magnesian limestone. West front of the church generally much decomposed; the north flank in better condition, but in parts much decomposed. The gateway, which is of Norman origin, is in fair condition. Roman Multangular Tower. Built of small stones; such as are of magnesian limestone are in good condition. St. Denis's Church. Norman doorway. of magnesian

limestone; south side highly enriched with zig-zag and other ornaments; the columns are gone; the parts which remain are in good condition. St. Margaret's Church (15tb century), of magnesian limestone; east front much exposed, and in good condition. The porch is of Norman date, and has been reconstructed; four bands of enrichment in the head, in tolerably fair condition, but many stones, particularly those of a decp yellow brown colour, are much decomposed. The other churches of York (which are of the 14th and 15th centuries) are built of magnesian limestone, and are generally in an extremely decomposed state; in many instances all architectural detail is obliterated. Modern Buildings: THE MUSEUM, of Hackness sandstone, built nine years since, much decomposed wherever it is subject to the alternation of wet and dry, as at the bottom of the columns of the portico, plinth, &c. THE CASTLE (recently erected); the plinth of the boundary wall (which is of Bramleyfall sandstone) already exhibits traces of decomposition. York Savings Bank. Huddersfield stone (?), in good

condition.

WORKSOP CHURCH (principally of the 13th century), of a siliciferous variety of magnesian limestone and of a sandstone; in very unequal condition. Some parts are very much decomposed, whilst others are in a perfect state.

TABLE OF THE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SIXTEEN SPECIMENS OF STONE.

1666. In the above table the names of the quarries are inserted under the general divisions of the different species of stone, and the specimens were considered as fair average samples of the workable stone in such quarries. The experiments were conducted by Messrs. Daniel and Wheatstone. As a conclusion to the report, it may be satisfactory to name the actual stones used in the construction of the first portions (1840) of the Houses of Parliament. The foundation was laid with Penryn granite, rising to the level of the ground, therefore but little seen. Above it is Fog-tor granite from Dartmoor. A small portion only of the superstructure, to the top of the basement windows, was built with Bolsover Moor stone from near Chesterfield; after which Anston stone was used for the remainder of the outside works. In the interior, Painswick and Caen stones have been employed; St. Stephen's crypt is of Beer stone. It has been asserted that had Government employed a supervision at the quarries to prevent imperfect blocks being set up to London, the present unsightly appearance of many parts of the building would not have resulted.

1666a. In par. 1500-1502 is supplied tables of the crushing weights of many of the stones herein mentioned. Hereto is added a further table of the weights of a large number of building stones, taken from the one prepared by the late C. H. Smith for R. Hunt's Mineral Statistics of the United Kingdom, &c. Part II. for 1858, published 1860; it was also given in the Transactions of the Institute of British Architects, 1859-60.

Bath Box.

Portland.

Ketton.

Barnack.

LIMESTONES.

Chilmark.

TABLE OF THE WEIGHTS OF BUILDING STONES, (IN CONTINUATION).

16666.

1606c. In the year 1858, the present editor contributed to the Builder Journal (pp. 632–3) a list of the Building Stones used externally in and near the Metropolis, with the names and dates of erection of the buildings in which they had been used. This list cannot be here inserted, but the following are among the stones named:-Anston, Aubigny, Bath, Bramley Fall, Broomhill, Cadeby, Caen, Craigleith, Godstone, Great Barrington, Hare. hill, Kentish rag, Yorkshire stone, Ketton, Portland. Prudholme or Prudham, Reigate, Roche Abbey, Swanage or Purbeck, and Whitby (Egton Quarries) stones, besides Granite, and Flint. The paper by E. J. Tarver, on The Architecture of London Streets, lead May 10, 1887, at the Society of Arts, is also applicable.

1666d. The North Anston stone of Yorkshire, not mentioned in the preceding Report, belongs to the magnesian limestone formation, and is of a yellowish brown colour. As examples of its use we point to the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn Street, Pall Mall, in the façades of which there is scarcely a bad stone to be seen. This well conceived structure was erected from the design of James Pennethorne during the years 1837 to 1848. At the New Hall and Library, Lincoln's Inn, designed 1843-45 by P. Hardwick, R.A., this stone is in a lamentable state of decay, occasioned (as is reported in the discussion on G. R. Burnell's paper, On Building Stones, &c., read at the Society of Arts in 1860), by the use of two particular beds, the blocks of which were in a state of decay before they left the quarry, and supposed to have been selected by the builder as yielding him the best profit. The labour upon Anston stone is intermediate between Yorkshire and Portland stones; it can be obtained of any required dimensions. The office of the Amicable Lift Assurance Company, in Fleet Street, was erected 1843, with the Mansfield Woodhouse or Bolsover stone, in the façade of which there is scarcely any trace of decay.

1666e. From the Mansfield quarries are now sent up the red Mansfield stone, the white Mansfield stone, and the yellow magnesian or Bolsover limestone. The former is much introduced for colonnettes, short shafts, and bands in coloured coursed ashlar work. For similar decorative work, the following stones have been used (1865) at the new offices of the Crown Assurance Company in Fleet Street; namely, Portland stone in the piers and caps; Forest of Dean, red Maasfield, and blue Warwick, in other portions of the front; and Sicilian marble over the arches.

1666f. In consequence of the reintroduction of Portland stone of late years, we would refer, in addition to what has been stated on p. 467, as to the quarries of Portland stone, to the article Lithology, written by the late C. H. Smith, and published in the Transactions of the Institute of British Architects, 1842. Also to a report, published in the Builder of 1863, p. 859, by F. A. Abel, being the result of his examination into the comparative qualities and fitness for building purposes, of samples of stone from different quarries, and made under the direction of the Inspector General of Fortifications.

1666g. These results show that all the superior descriptions of whit bed' stone combine strength and compactness in a considerably higher degree than the varieties of base-bed' stone. Some kinds of the whit-bed' stone, however (i.e. those from the New Maggot and Inmosthay quarries), though ranking with the best as regards strength, exhibit a greater degree of porosity. Again, other whit-bed' stones (from Old Maggot, Waycroft, and Independent quarries) exhibit but little superiority, in point either of strength or compactness, over the generality of the 'base-bed ' stones, and are, indeed, inferior to the best base-bed' variety."

1666h. “The base-bed' stones are, undoubtedly, more generally uniform in structure than those of the whit-bed;' this being mainly due to the comparative freedom of the former from distinct petrifactions. Though such petrifactions were shown, by the results of experiments, to impart, in many instances, great additional strength to the stone, they frequently give rise by their existence to cavities sometimes of considerable size, which not only serve to weaken those particular portions of the stone, but may also, if they exist in proximity to exposed surfaces of a block of stone, promote its partial disintegration by the action of frost. Greater care is, therefore, unquestionably required in the selection of whit-bed' stone than need be employed in the case of all the better varieties of 'basebed 'stone." The results of my experiments lead me to the following conclusions regarding the comparative merits of the various descriptions of Portland stone in question, for building purposes:—

"For External work, in the order of their merit:-I Stone from War Department quarry, Vern Hill; and whit bed' stone, Admiralty quarry.

II. Whit-bed' stone, New Maggot quarry; base-bed' stone, Admiralty quarry (this may be considered quite equal in quality to whit-bed' stone); and whit-bed' stone, Inmosthay quarry (particularly adapted from its texture and uniformity for ornamental work). III. 'Whit-bed' stone, Old Maggot quarry: a marked LI; and 6 marked IT and IE. The 'roach' stone, from War Department quarry, is an invaluable stone for external work in localities whore any considerable strength and power of resisting mechanical wear are