The polygonal pillar has always a large, shallow plinth, in the form of a rounded disc.

At El Kab it bears the head of Hathor, sculptured in relief upon the front (fig.

61); but almost everywhere else it is crowned with a simple square abacus, which joins it to the architrave.

Thus treated, it bears a certain family likeness to the Doric column; and one understands how Jomard and Champollion, in the first ardour of discovery, were tempted to give it the scarcely justifiable name of "proto-Doric." [Illustration: Fig.

59 .-- Sixteen-sided pillars, Karnak.] The column does not rest immediately upon the soil.