1344 GLOSSARY.

Peincipal Rafter. One whose size is larger than that of a common raftor, and is framed
in such a manner, as in a truss, as to bear the principal weight of the latter.
Pkincipal Ray. In perspective, the line passing from the eye to the principal point on
the perspective plane.
Priory. A monastery, the head of which was called a prior or prioress.
Prism. (Gr. UpicrfMa.) In geometry an ohlong or solid body contained under more than
four planes, whose bases are equal, parallel, and similarly situate.
Prismoid. a solid figure, having for its two ends any dissimilar parallel plane figure
of the same number of sides, and all the upright sides of the solid trapezoids. If
the ends of the prismoid be bounded by dissimilar curves, it is sometimes called a
ci/lhidroid.
Prison. A building erected for the confinement, or safe custody, of those who have trans-
gressed the laws of their country, until, in due course of time, they arc discharged.
In considerable cities and towns, humanity, and in leod justice, demands that the
same building which confines the convicted felon should not enclose the debtor and
the untried prisoner, as well as him whose oflfence is not of an aggravated nature. lu
small towns, where there may be only one, perhaps small, prison, the separation of the
prisoners is more difficult to accomplish. The separation of the sex is indispensable.
For whatever class of prisoners a building is erected, salubrity and ventilation are as
essential as the security of those confined. It is now unnecessary to reprint the whole
of the requisites which the celebrated Howard specified for prisons : modern rules
have necessitated great alterations since his time.
Prison discipline is a problem the wisest of our legislators have not yet been able
to solve. When Pentonville Prison was erected it was thought that complete separa-
tion, by its severity, would lessen crime. The result, however, has scarcely justified
the behef. The Government have had ample opportunity of forming an opinion upon
the merits of the separate system, consequently about 1851 some relaxation was made,
and about ten per cent, were placed in association. The City authorities adopted a
middle course, and they have the means of confining the vicious in eeparato cells
;
and have sufficient number of workrooms for classified association.
One of the prisons erected for the metropolis is the Model or Pentonville Prison .
in the Caledoniaa Road, erected 1840-42 by Major R. Jebb for 1,000 prisoners,
and to which additions have been made. A Report was publishe^^l at the time
giving all the details of the cells, which are 13 feet by 7 feet by 9 feet high, and
intended for solitary confinement. Another, the now City Prison, in the Camden Road,
erected 1849-52, by the City architect, Mr. J. B. Running, has 418 cells. It is
constructed on the radiating principle, having four wings diverging from the centre,
with two others in front of the former. Each is twelve cells in length, or about
100 feet long, and tliree stojies high. The corridors are 16 f.ct wide, and are open up
to the arched ceiling, with galleries leading to the upper cells. One of the Litest
prisons erected is that at Edinburgh. It is described in the British Architect for
October 14, 1887, p. 291.
Problem (Gr.) In geometry, a proposition in which some operation or construction is
required, as to divide a line, to ma^'e an angle, to draw a circle through three points
not in a right line, &c. A problei>.. consists of three parts : the proposition, which
states what is required to be done ; the resolution or solution, wherein are rehearsed
tJie step or steps by which it is done ; and the demonstration, wherein it is shown
that by doing the several things prescribed in the resolution the thing required is
obtained.
Prodomus. In ancient architecture, the portico before the entrance to the cell of a
temple. See Cell.
Producing. In geometry, the continuing a right line to any required length.
Profile. The vertical section of a body. It is principally used in its architectural sense
to signify the contour of architectural members, as of bases, cornices, &c. The profile
of an order is in fact the outline of the whole and its parts, the drawing whereof is
technically called profiling the order.
Projection. The art of representing a body on a plane by drawing straight lines through
a given point, or parallel from the contour and from the intermediate lines of the body,
if any, so as to cut the plane. When the projection is made by drawing straight lines
from a point, it is called a perspective representation ; but if formed by parallel lines, it
is called an orthographical representation.
Projecture. An out-jetting or prominence beyond the naked of a wall, column, &c. By
the Greeks projecturcs were called fK<popai, by the Italians sj^ord, by the French saillics
;
our workmen called them sailings over.
Prolate. (Lat.) An epithet applied to a spheroid when generated by the revolution of
a semi-ellipsis about its longer diameter.