rm is applied to the
natural protective covering of seed-vessels, and of a pupa or chrysalis.
It is also used of a box containing instruments, pistols, swords, &c.,
and sometimes of the contents. In building, a "case" is the facing where
the backing may be of inferior material; the framework in which a window
or door is hung; or the wall surrounding a stair, "staircase" properly
signifying the whole structure of walls and stairs. In bookbinding, a
"case" means the boards and back in which the books are bound; and in
typography, the tray, divided into partitions, containing the type ready
for the compositor's use.

CASEMATE (Ital. _casa_, a house, and _matta_, dull or dim), an armoured
vault or chamber, or in field fortification, a bombproof shelter; in
architecture, a hollow moulding, chiefly employed in cornices.

CASEMENT (from a Lat. form _casamentum_), in architecture, a frame in
wood or metal, which holds the glass of a window, and is hung by hinges
either at the top, bottom or sides.

CASERTA, a town and episcopal see of Campania, Italy, the capital of the
province of Caserta, situated 21 m. N. by E. of Naples by rail via
Accerra, and 23 m. via Aversa. Pop. (1901) town, 19,180; commune,
33,373. The modern town (229 ft.) was a mere village belonging to the
Caetani family of Sermoneta, who were counts of Caserta, until its
purchase from them by Charles IV. of Naples, and the erection of the
royal palace, begun by Luigi Vanvitelli (van Wittel) in 1752, but not
completed until 1774 for Charles's son Ferdinand IV. It forms a
rectangle, the south front being 830 ft. long and 134 ft. high, with 37
windows in each storey. The interior is richly decorated with marbles,
almost all of which, except the white Carrara marble, are Neapolitan or
Sicilian. The staircase, the chapel and the theatre are especially
sumptuous. The extensive gardens which occupy the hillside behind the
palace are adorned with fountains and cascades; the botanical garden
contains many trees from northern climates. Two miles north is S.
Leucio, a village founded by Ferdinand IV. in 1789, with a royal casino,
and large silk factories which are still active. The old town (Caserta
Vecchia) lies high (1310 ft.) about 3 m. to the north-east. It was
founded in the 9th century by the Lombards of Capua. The cathedral has
not suffered from restoration. It was completed in 1153. It is a copy of
that of Sessa Aurunca, and preserves the type of