EAST-NORTH-EAST TRENCH.

Total axial length uncertain, because no termina

tion inwards to c, could be found, Distance of its furthest end from c,

Depth, at outer or E.N.E. end, first step, worked

Breadth, at outer or E.N. E. end, first step, worked

second step,
third step,

=

50

=

60

150

40

1280

=

4200

40

Distance of furthest visible part from c,
Breadth, at all parts, worked surfaces, 39 to 40', say =
Depth, at all parts, roughly, 10∙ to 12 ̊, say

The system of vertical passages is only inserted approximately on the plan of the trenches in Plate xv., as I did not measure their distance from other known objects. Their general appearance and nature are shown in fig. 4, of Plate II., in vol. iii. Compare also the map in Plate II. vol. i.

The bottoms of all the azimuth trenches were filled with more or less broken stones and rubbish, to an extent beyond my means of clearing out.

LINEAR MEASURES OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.

APRIL 6, 10, 27, 1865.

HEIGHT, VERTICAL.

On the evening of April 10, in ascending the Great Pyramid, I measured in a rough manner the height of every course of stones; and repeated the measure next morning in descending. The two sets were not always quite so similar as they should have been, and the second gave 202 courses, while the former gave 201. Differences which may have arisen, both from the tracks up and down not being precisely the same; and because it was often difficult to say, from dilapidation, where any particular course began or ended: especially as the courses of masonry,—though generally running uniformly along all four sides, if not also through the whole Pyramid,—were in some particular places composed of two layers of stone, each of which might then be taken inadvertently as a single course; or again, two small courses rather ruined, might appear as one large one. There is, however, abundant proof, on looking over the numbers, that the courses are not of uniform or regular

decreasing or increasing thickness; and that they form little more than a core or substance upon which the ancient builders fastened the casing-stones with their fixing series, and thereby gave truth of figure to the whole Pyramid.

At the time of measuring, I merely made a guess at the depth of rubbish concealing the true foot of the Pyramid; but was able afterwards to correct it, when the socket of the corner-stone was uncovered at the north-east angle. And, reducing this to the supposed 'pavement' surface (see p. 136), we have the following numbers :—