d-driven
rains, and which are also most modified in profile. It would appear
that destruction is proceeding more rapidly along the sides of the
walls than along the crests.

On examining the walls with respect to apparent solidity and
stability, it was found that nearly all are in fair or good
condition. The only portion that would seem in special danger is the
central section of the southern exterior wall. This section seems
insecure, and might at any time be overthrown by a heavy wind
following a rain storm. This section was not, unfortunately, braced
or tied to the stronger interior wall when the protective works were
carried out in 1892.

On examining the structure to ascertain the effect of the protective
works of 1892 in staying the destructive processes, particularly the
undermining of the walls by spattering rain and drifting sand, it
was found that in most cases the results have been excellent. On the
inner side of the middle section of the southern exterior wall
sapping is in progress at the ground level, and also along the rows
of joist openings for the first and second stories, and in a few
other places the protection seems inadequate; but in general the
anticipations of the projectors of the protective works seem to have
been realized.

The most serious of the destructive processes was sapping, and this
process has been nearly checked by the protective works. The second
was the desurfacing and subsequent eating away of the walls by
beating rains and frost, and this is still in progress at a moderate
rate. The least serious process was the wearing away of the crests
of the walls by rain and winds, and this is still going on at a
perceptible rate. It is impossible to determine, and difficult even
to approximate, the rate of destruction quantitatively, especially
so since it goes on cumulatively, with constantly increasing
rapidity, as the cemented surfaces are destroyed and the crevices
widen and deepen; but judging from the history of the ruin, and from
the rate of destruction indicated by comparing the photographs of
1892 with the present aspect, it would seem safe to conclude that,
if protected completely from vandalism, the ruin will be
comparatively little injured during the next five years, and will
stand perhaps half a century, without further protective works,
before moldering into dust.

In view of the slow yet ever i