1318

GLOSSAKY.
Mexican Architecture. The building-3
of the ancient people inhabiting Mexico and
.- Yucatan in America

Teocalli or pyramids,
wiih walls of ruined cities, various carvings
Fig. 1414. Fig. 1416.
on the face of the stones, and sculpture of hideous shape, comprise nearly all that is as
yet known of their works.
Mezzanine. (Ital. Mezzano, middle.) A story of smnll height introduced between two
higher ones. See Enthesol.
Mezzo Eelievo. See Rfxikvo.
Middle Post. In a roof, the same as King Post.
Middle Quarters of Columns. A name given to the four quarters of a column divided
by horizontal sections, forming angles of forty-five degrees on the plan.
Middle Eail. The rail of a door, on or in which the lock is usually fixed.
Mile. (Lat. Mille passuum, a thousand paces.) A measure of length in England equal
to 1,760 yards. The Roman pace was 5 feet; and a Koman foot being equal to 1I'62
modern inches, it follows that the ancient Eoman mile was equivalent to 1,614 English
yards, or very nearly eleven-twelfths of an English statute mile. The measure of the
English mile is incidentally defined by an Act of Parliament passed in the 3oth of
Elizabeth, restricting persons from erecting new buildings within three miles of
London, in which Act the mile is declared to be 8 furlongs of 40 perches each, and each
perch equal to
16|
feet.
Milk Eoom. See Dairy.
Millstone Grit. A coarse grained quartzose sandstone. It is extracted from the group
of strata which occur between the mounttvin limestone and the superincumbent coal
formations.
Minaret. (Arab. Menarah, a lantern.) A slender lofty turret, rising by different
stages or stories, surrounded by one or more projecting balconies, common in
Mohammedan countries, being used by the priests for summoning (from the balconies)
the people to prayers at stated periods of the day. They are also called alkoi-anes.
Minora^ The name for the cdla containing the statue of a Hindoo temple, from whence
rises the sikr ov spire; t\ie pronaos \s XhQ munduf, aud the portico is in front, which
is the ckdori or pillared hall.
Minion. An iron ore, which mixed with a proper quantity of lime makes an excellent
water cement. '
Minster. A church to which an ecclesiastical fraternity has been or is attached. The
name has been also used freely to distinguish collegiate or conventual churches from
parish churches.
Minute. (Lat.) See Module.
MiscHiA. See Scagliola.
Miserere. A hinged seat attached on an horizontal axis to a stall in a church or
cathedral. It was so contriA'ed that if, during the performance of religious ceremonies,
the occupier of it slept, he would fall on (perchance) the floor. Hence the name. The
corbel under the seat, which formed the resting place, is usually carved with foliage, or
with figures sometimes of a ludicrous design. The earliest examples are in Exeter
Cathedral, dating 1240-56.
Mitciiel. a name given by workmen to Purbeck stones of twenty-four inches by fifteen
when squared for building.
Miter, sometimes written Mitre. See Bevel.
MiTKB Box. See Box foe Mithr