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ing stems the stone seems to stretch upwards, like a plant, so that one is
never conscious of the downward impending load. The capital loses its
original significance as a support; now, sparingly employed, it becomes an
accent in the rhythmic scheme.

To avoid any look of weight on the outside of the Gothic cathedral,
small pinnacles are placed on the flying buttresses. Above the quadrilateral
body of the pillar rises the pyramidal spire. On the corners of the masonry

little crockets creep upwards, joining, at the summit of the spire, in a finial.
Sometimes the ornaments are shaped like living beings, as when the gar-
goyles take the form of animals. The greatest concentration of ornament is
on the facade. Above the doors, which repeat the motive of the roofs, rise

pointed gables with their hood-mouldings, the triangular space being filled
with Gothic tracery of the kind that fills and frames the pointed windows.
It was on the 'royal galleries' which in French Gothic often appear above

the doors, and especially on their jamb-stones or casings, that the Gothic
sculptors lavished their greatest skill.

II. Divide the text into seven logical parts. Give the title to each
part.

III. Write out all architectural terms in the text and find their
definitions in English.

IV. Choose the necessary word and complete the following sen-

tences:

1. The nave had three or five aisles…. a) architectural

2. Here the… tendency of the 12th century, the pe- b) pinnacles
riod of the French Early Gothic, is expressed with
wonderful completeness.
3. There are many churches of the transitional period c) arches

with groined vaulting or pointed….
4. To avoid any look of weight on the outside of the d) facade
Gothic cathedral, small … are placed on the flying

buttresses.
5. The greatest concentration of ornament is on e) aisle
the….

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