y come in contact with
it. On mixing with the seeds or elements that come from other
substances, it forms a solid mass with them and, no matter what the
constituent parts may then be, it must, obviously, on becoming dry,
possess the qualities which are peculiar to its own nature.

8. Hence, stucco that is properly made does not get rough as time goes
on, nor lose its colours when it is wiped off, unless they have been
laid on with little care and after it is dry. So, when the stucco on
walls is made as described above, it will have strength and brilliancy,
and an excellence that will last to a great age. But when only one coat
of sand mortar and one of fine marble have been spread on, its thin
layer is easily cracked from want of strength, and from its lack of
thickness it will not take on the brilliance, due to polishing, which it
ought to have.

9. Just as a silver mirror that is formed of a thin plate reflects
indistinctly and with a feeble light, while one that is substantially
made can take on a very high polish, and reflects a brilliant and
distinct image when one looks therein, so it is with stucco. When the
stuff of which it is formed is thin, it not only cracks but also soon
fades; when, however, it has a solid foundation of sand mortar and of
marble, thickly and compactly applied, it is not only brilliant after
being subjected to repeated polishings, but also reflects from its
surface a clear image of the beholder.

10. The Greek stucco-workers not only employ these methods to make their
works durable, but also construct a mortar trough, mix the lime and sand
in it, bring on a gang of men, and beat the stuff with wooden beetles,
and do not use it until it has been thus vigorously worked. Hence, some
cut slabs out of old walls and use them as panels, and the stucco of
such panels and "reflectors" has projecting bevelled edges all round it.

11. But if stucco has to be made on "wattle and daub," where there must
be cracks at the uprights and cross-sticks, because they must take in
moisture when they are daubed with the mud, and cause cracks in the
stucco when they dry and shrink, the following method will prevent this
from happening. After the whole wall has been smeared with the mud, nail
rows of reeds to it by means of "fly-nails," then spread on the mud a
second time, and, if the first rows have been nailed with the shafts
transverse, nail on a second set with the shafts vertical, and then, as
above descr