hird is used to level the stones, as they are
successively set in place, by setting it upon the stone to be set
and sighting across the other two levellers. If two "levellers" of
equal height are used with a third of less height placed at the
centre of the course, with perhaps others of intermediate height
used at intermediate points, it would obviously be equally easy to
set out a curved course, as, for instance, the curved stylobate of
the Parthenon which rises about three inches in its length of one
hundred feet. By a simple calculation any desired curve could be
laid out in this way. The word scamillus is a diminutive of
_scamnum_, a mounting-block or bench.

Practically the same explanation is given by G. Georges in a memoir
submitted to the Sorbonne in April, 1875. Georges adds an
interesting list, by no means complete, of the various explanations
that have been offered at different times.

Philander (1522-1552). Projections of the stylobate or pedestals.

Barbaro (1556-1690). The same.

Bertano (1558). Swellings of the die of the stylobate or bosses
in the stylobate or the frieze of the
entablature.

Baldus (1612). Sub-plinths placed under the bases of the columns.

Perrault (1673-1684). Projection of the stylobate.

Polleni (1739). The same.

Galiani (1758-1790). Projection of the stylobate with hypothesis of
embossments on the stylobates and the bases of
the columns.

Tardieu and Coussin (1837) and Mauffras (1847). Projection of the stylobates.

Aures (1865). Steps or offsets between the stylobate and the columns.

The list of Georges is wholly French and Italian.

Fra Giocondo's interpretation is indicated in our reproduction of
the illustration in his edition of 1511.

Hoffer (1838) and afterwards Pennethorne (1846) and Penrose (1851)
gave measurements showing the curvatures in the Parthenon and the
temple of Theseus in Athens. Penrose and most writers who followed
him supposed the "scamilli impares" to be projections or offsets on
the stylobate required on account of the curves to bring the column
into relation with the architraves above, and similar offsets of
unequal or sloping form were supposed to be required above the
abaci of the capitals,