The Temple under the New Empire. 3^3 from front to back of the building. These columns are smaller in section than those of the peristyles, and the eight which con- stitute the central nave do not differ from their com- panions.^ This hy- postyle hall lacks, therefore, some of the distinoruishinof characteristics of its rivals elsewhere. Its unambitious ap- pearance is all the more surprising af- ter the noble pro- portions and rich decorations of the two external courts. The effect of the hall is still farther lessened by the fact that it does not occupy the whole width of the build- ' Here M. Perrot is in error, as may be seen by reference to his own plan. The columns of the central passage of the hypostyle hall are similar in section to those of the two peri- styles, except that their bases are flattened late- rally in a somewhat un- usual fashion. — Ed. Fig. 223.— -Plan of the great Temple at Medinet-Abou. (Communicated by M. Brune. )