ments of the tomb; he would then, from year to
year, have added fresh layers to the original nucleus, until the day of
his death put an end for ever to the growth of the monument.*

* This was the theory formulated by Lepsius, after the
researches made by himself, and the work done by Erbkam, and
the majority of Egyptologists adopted it, and still maintain
it. It was vigorously attacked by Perrot-Chipiez and by
Petrie; it was afterwards revived, with amendments, by
Borchardt whose conclusions have been accepted by Ed. Meyer.
The examinations which I have had the opportunity of
bestowing on the pyramids of Saqqara, Abusir, Dahshur,
Rigah, and Lisht have shown me that the theory is not
applicable to any of these monuments.

This hypothesis is not borne out by facts: such a small pyramid as that
of Saqqara belonged to a Pharaoh who reigned thirty years, while
"the Horizon" of Gizeh is the work of Kheops, whose rule lasted only
twenty-three years.

[Illustration: 208.jpg MAP OLEANDER LOWER]

The plan of each pyramid was arranged once for all by the architect,
according to the instructions he had received, and the resources at his
command. Once set on foot, the work was continued until its completion,
without addition or diminution, unless something unforeseen occurred.
The pyramids, like the mastabas, ought to present their faces to the
four cardinal points; but owing to unskilfulness or negligence, the
majority of them are not very accurately orientated, and several of them
vary sensibly from the true north. The great pyramid of Saqqara does not
describe a perfect square at its base, but is an oblong rectangle, with
its longest sides east and west; it is stepped--that is to say, the six
sloping sided cubes of which it is composed are placed upon one another
so as to form a series of treads and risers, the former being about two
yards wide and the latter of unequal heights. The highest of the stone
pyramids of Dahshur makes at its lower part an angle of 54 deg. 41' with the
horizon, but at half its height the angle becomes suddenly more acute
and is reduced to 42 deg. 59'. It reminds one of a mastaba with a sort of
huge attic on the top. Each of these monuments had its enclosing wall,
its chapel and its college of priests, who performed there for ages
sacred rites in honour of the deceased prince, while its property in
mortmain was administered by the chief of the "pries