« Vitr. 2.9 | Vitr. 2.9 | Vitr. 2.10 | About This Work »
11This is most evident at Ravenna, a city, the foundations of whose buildings, both public and private, are all built upon piles. The elm tree and the ash contain much water and but little air and fire, with a moderate portion of earth. They are therefore pliant, and being so full of water, and from want of stiffness, soon bend under a superincumbent weight. When, however, from proper keeping after being felled, or from being well dried while standing to discharge their natural moisture, they become much harder, and in framings are, from their pliability, capable of forming sound work.
« Vitr. 2.9 | Vitr. 2.9 | Vitr. 2.10 | About This Work »