82 On the Art of Building in Pisè.[Aug-

faſtening them together by the twiſted cord F and the ſtick G, which ſecures its poſition as long as is neceſſary. C C are the ends of the ſides of the mould,(repreſented at fig. 1.) two feet nine inches in height, ten feet long. H H repreſent wedges which are driven-/into the moctiſes of the joiſts, and thus con- fine every thing ſteady. Tt is to be obſerved, that an upright poſt is ere&ted againſt each tranſverſe ledge of the ſide of the mould Fig. 1; and that the lower part of the mould always in- cludes three inches of foundation A, on which to ram the earth as high as the top of the moúld. Hence each ftratum of pisè is buf two feet ſix inches, though the height of the mould is two feet nine inches. At the commencement of the work, an end, or head,(Fig. 2,) is inſerted in the mould, which thus Éorms a corner of the wall," At doors and windows, the ſame expedient is applied.

At Fig: 4, ale feen perſpeAive view of the piſoir, or ram- mer. At Fig, 5, its appearance, if the eye be placed at the‘end of its handle, in the largeſt part, it is fivé or ſix inches ſquare, and is made of the heavieſt wood. Knotty wood, or’even roots, are préferred. In Fig. 3, at E, is ſeen a wall-gage, by which the cord F is reguläted before any earth is rammed into each new poſition of the mould. By conſidering that a poſt is elevated againſt each of the ledges of ſides of the mould, Fig. Ts it is evident that the mould will be divided into three parts by the cords at top ſtretched acroſs from each poſt to its oppoſite poſt: in each of theſe diviſions it is uſual to ſtation a workman, the beſt taking charge of the angle, when it happens that one is comprehended in the mould. The labourers who dig and prepare the. earth, give it in proper quantities to the workmen, who, after ſpreading it with their feet to the depth of three inches, comnience the operation of the rammer. The firſt ſtrokes are given cloſe to the ſides of the mould, but are after- wards applied to every other part of the ſurfàce. The men finally crofs their ſtrokes, ſo that the earth may be preſſed in every dire@tion. Of courſe no freſh carth muſt be admitted into the mould till the firſt is thoroughly beaten; this is the caſe whén no impreffion is made by the ſtrokes‘of the rammer. Layer after layer is thus rammed in till the mould is filled. It may then be taken to pieces, and the carth contained in it will remain ficm and upright, about nine feet in length and two and a half in height, the end ſloping towards the next mould-full, as ſeen in the joints of Fig, 6. When the workman has gone round the whole circuit of the building, taking the mould to pieces, and refixing if ſucceſſively, he commences the ſecond courſe, remembering to begin at the ſame angle, but to work the contrary way 5 thus the joints(in different dire&ions) do not at all weaken the work./