POINTS

Small flat pieces of cordage put through tho sails in horizontal rows, for the purpose of reefing them. POINTS OF SUPPORT, in Architecture, are the col lected areas on the plan of the piers, walls, columns, , upon which an edifice rests, or by which it is supported. It is evident that the smaller their total area, compared with the superficies of the whole building, the greater is the ski: exhibited by the architect; and this for many reasons, not the least whereof is the greater resultant economy. We subjoin a table of some few buildings in Europe, examined in this respect. They are arranged in the order of the ratio of their points of support, whose area, as well as their tot sO superficies, are added in separate columns. [s. 964]