this supposition.  Only two small differences, or we may say improvements, have been introduced by Leonardo.  Firstly the back of the chapels contains a third niche, and each angle of the Octagon a folded pilaster like those in Bramante’s Sagrestia di S. M. presso San Satiro at Milan, instead of an interval between the two pilasters as seen in the Battistero at Florence and in the Sacristy of Sto.  Spirito in the same town and also in the above named chapel by Brunellesco.

The first set of sketches which come under consideration have at first sight the appearance of mere geometrical studies.  They seem to have been suggested by the plan given on page 44 Fig. 2 (MS. B, 55a) in the centre of which is written_ “Santa Maria in perticha da Pavia”, at the place marked A on the reproduction.

a) (MS. B, 34b, page 44 Fig. 3).  In the middle of each side a column is added, and in the axes of the intercolumnar spaces a second row of columns forms an aisle round the octagon.  These are placed at the intersection of a system of semicircles, of which the sixteen columns on the sides of the octagon are the centres.

b) The preceding diagram is completed and becomes more monumental in style in the sketch next to it (MS. B, 35a, see p. 45 Fig. 1).  An outer aisle is added by circles, having for radius the distance between the columns in the middle sides of the octagon.

c) (MS. B. 96b, see p. 45 Fig. 2).  Octagon with an aisle round it; the angles of both are formed by columns.  The outer sides are formed by 8 niches forming chapels.  The exterior is likewise octagonal, with the angles corresponding to the centre of each of the interior chapels.

Pl.  XCII, No. 2 (MS. B. 96b).  Detail and modification of the preceding plan—­half columns against piers—­an arrangement by which the chapels of the aisle have the same width of opening as the inner arches between the half columns.  Underneath this sketch the following note occurs:_ questo vole — avere 12 facce — co 12 tabernaculi — come — a — b. (This will have twelve sides with twelve tabernacles as a b._) In the remaining sketches of this class the octagon is not formed by columns at the angles.

The simplest type shows a niche in the middle of each side and is repeated on several sheets, viz:  MS. B 3; MS. C.A. 354b (see Pl.  LXXXIV, No. 11) and MS. Ash II 6b; (see Pl.  LXXXV, No. 9 and the elevations No. 8; Pl.  XCII, No. 3; MS. B. 4b [not reproduced here] and Pl.  LXXXIV, No. 2)._

Pl.  XCII, 3 (MS. B, 56b) corresponds to a plan like the one in MS. B 35a, in which the niches would be visible outside or, as in the following sketch, with the addition of a niche in the middle of each chapel.

Pl.  XC, No. 6.  The niches themselves are surrounded by smaller niches (see also No. 1 on the same plate).

Octagon expanded on each side.

A. by a square chapel: