Show JAPANESE PAGODAS the absence ot of buildings of any size and antiquity in japan is ascribed to the destruction of them by the frequent earthquakes which occur the only structures which seem to be earth quake proof are the pagodas which are erected before the temple temilee tem there aremaDy are many pagodas which are seven or eight hundred years old and as solid as when first built there is a reason for this and it ties lies in their construction A pagoda la Is practically a framework rame vork of heavy timbers which start from a wide base and to Is in itself a substantial structure but it is rendered still more stable by a peculiar device inside the framework and suspended from the apex to is a long heavy balk of timber two feet thick or more this bangs from one end anti and to the other end and are bolted at each of the be four sides four more heavy timbers and it if the pagoda be very lofty still more timbers are added oo on to te these the whole forms an enormous pendulum which reaches to within six inches of the ground when the shook shock of an earthquake rocks the pagoda the pendulum swings in unison and keeps the center of gravity always at the bass base of the framework consequently the equilibrium ot the pagoda is 18 never disturbed and this is the explanation of the great age of many ol of them when from their height one would suppose them to be peculiarly susceptible to the effect of an earthquake hitherto the long sticks of timber in the center of the pagoda have been supposed to be for the purpose of supporting the framework it ak was not until the recent earthquake brought them into prominence that their pur acee became generally rene rally known among Europea E aa |