165 
of the quantity of lights used therein. In these, above 
the podium, polished pannels of a black colour are 
introduced, with yellow or red margins round them. 
The method of finishing plain as well as enriched 
ceilings having been described, it will not be amiss, in 
case any one should wish to know it, to explain the 
construction of the pavements used in the Grecian 
winter rooms; which is not only economical but useful. 
The floor of the triclinium is excavated to the depth of 
about two feet; and after the bottom is well rammed, a 
pavement of rubbish or potsherds is spread over it, with 
a declivity towards the holes of the drain. A composition 
of pounded charcoal, lime, sand, and ashes, is mixed up 
and spread thereover, half a foot in thickness, perfectly 
smooth and level. The surface being then rubbed with 
stone, it has the appearance of a black pavement. Thus. 
at their banquets, the liquor that is spilt, and the expec¬ 
toration which falls on it, immediately dry up; and the 
persons who wait on the guests, though barefooted, do 
not suffer from cold on this sort of pavement. 
CHAPTER V. 
OF THE USE OF PAINTING IN BUILDINGS. 
IN the other rooms, namely, those for vernal, autumnal. 
and summer use ; in atria also, and peristylia, certain 
kinds of pictures were used by the ancients. Painting 
represents subjects which exist or may exist, such as 
men, houses, ships, and other things, the forms and 
precise figures of which are transferred to their repre- 
sentations. Hence those of the ancients who first used 
polished coats of plastering, originally imitated the 
variety and arrangement of inlaid marbles. Afterwards