these "cobbled vaults," as they are technically called. The outside retaining wall was then built, sometimes with the stone set square but more often with the points of the blocks turned inward, so as to present a rough surface. The concrete was then poured between the two walls and settled into all the interstices, hardening into a homogeneous mass. Inside and out, the stones were then covered with a thin veneer of cement and possibly still another face of limestone. It was the effect of masonry thus produced that led observers for many years to believe the walls to be composed entirely of

that there are spaces in the

there is no access except by

725

revealed a small room with no other outlet. Remains of similar "rooms" have since been found in broken roof combs. Whether these were mere structural expedients to save weight and material or whether they hold some still-to-be-discovered secret is another lure to the archaeologist's fancy.

The palaces, having no roof combs, had larger rooms, evidently adapted to a system of life that suggests dormitory living by a considerable number of inmates. These buildings are sometimes as high as five or six stories. They are very substantial also, but not so tremendously heavy as the temples, which were even windowless, for no apparent reason except the avoidance of weakening apertures. The dwellings must have had outside stairs, more like our modern fireescapes, for there seems to be no provision inside for passage from floor to floor. Either ladders or wooden stairs were probably used

means of the drill. In 1910

a break was found in one of the walls of a Tikal temple, behind the temple-chamber, which looked like some treasure-seeker's work, but which

peared.

The history of the people lies unread in thousands of hieroglyphics on building-walls, on monuments and on shafts that were set up numerously in the public squares.

field. Krupp's, the mighty gun manufacturers and armor-plate makers, have tried and more or less failed. They produced a cuirass, indeed, but not such a one as approached the ideal sought.

However, a man named Schaumann has actually brought out a plate, made by process of secret alloy, that has withstood some remarkable tests. The plate of Mr. Schaumann has yet to be punctured by rifle-ball, fired by the arm used in the German military service-which is as good and as powerful as any rifle made. The illustrations show the results of tests recently applied. Schaumann's plate underwent fire of rifles at ranges as low as thirty feet, without giving way or allowing the bullets to penetrate. The plate

wedge-shaped front, as armor has been constructed from time immemorial, with well-studied curves for bullet-shedding, the cuirass of this new material should throw practically every bullet that can strike it.

The weight of the armor will be slight. The inventor claims that it will be lighter by twenty per cent than the cuirass now in use, while being a much more reliable jacket. He expects to reduce this weight still further, however, so that the soldier of the line may find the armor genuinely welcome, rather than a mere hated added burden.

was disfigured, as the pictures show, but the bullets were shattered and a man behind the plate would have been safe from harm from them.

When it is considered that the plate was offered flat to the fire of the rifles and that every opportunity for aim and every advantage of wind and light and time was given the marksmen, it will be seen how very efficient the plates of this alloy should be when made up into cuirasses and used in the field. It is rare indeed that a soldier will offer a fair shot at close range to his enemy, so that his cuirass would be flat-side toward the rifle-fire. Built with a

It is possible that the modern rifleball may knock a man over, even if his mail protects him from wound, however, so the practicability of such affairs as cuirasses in the field has yet to be proved. The rifle-ball, fired from a modern highpower weapon has a striking force that is enormous. To stand within the cuirass that is struck by one or more of them would be no experience to be courted by the bravest man or the wildest fool. It might be compared to allowing a powerful blacksmith to strike at one with a sledge. The cuirass will protect the skin. Will it protect the bones and the flesh from bruise and the vital organs from terrific blows? Also, the arms and legs and head will still be exposed to the fire of the enemy.