ibed, spread on the sand mortar, the marble, and the whole
mass of stucco. Thus, the double series of reeds with their shafts
crossing on the walls will prevent any chipping or cracking from taking
place.

CHAPTER IV

ON STUCCO WORK IN DAMP PLACES, AND ON THE DECORATION OF DINING ROOMS

1. Having spoken of the method by which stucco work should be done in
dry situations, I shall next explain how the polished finish is to be
accomplished in places that are damp, in such a way that it can last
without defects. First, in apartments which are level with the ground,
apply a rendering coat of mortar, mixed with burnt brick instead of
sand, to a height of about three feet above the floor, and then lay on
the stucco so that those portions of it may not be injured by the
dampness. But if a wall is in a state of dampness all over, construct a
second thin wall a little way from it on the inside, at a distance
suited to circumstances, and in the space between these two walls run a
channel, at a lower level than that of the apartment, with vents to the
open air. Similarly, when the wall is brought up to the top, leave
airholes there. For if the moisture has no means of getting out by vents
at the bottom and at the top, it will not fail to spread all over the
new wall. This done, apply a rendering coat of mortar made with burnt
brick to this wall, spread on the layer of stucco, and polish it.

2. But if there is not room enough for the construction of a wall, make
channels with their vents extending to the open air. Then lay two-foot
tiles resting on the margin of the channel on one side, and on the other
side construct a foundation of pillars for them, made of eight-inch
bricks, on top of each of which the edges of two tiles may be supported,
each pillar being not more than a hand's breadth distant from the wall.
Then, above, set hooked tiles fastened to the wall from bottom to top,
carefully covering the inner sides of them with pitch so that they will
reject moisture. Both at the bottom and at the top above the vaulting
they should have airholes.

3. Then, whitewash them with lime and water so that they will not reject
the rendering coat of burnt brick. For, as they are dry from the loss of
water burnt out in the kiln, they can neither take nor hold the
rendering coat unless lime has been applied beneath it to stick the two
substances together, and make them unite. After spreading the rendering
coat upon this, apply l