and more frequently a lower ring of masonry, and the steps are so formed. The Fonts of a more fully developed kind may usually be divided into three parts; the bowl, the stem, with or without shafts, and the plinth, each of which are of course formed of separate stones. Where steps occur, these properly constitute a fourth component member of the whole. Norman Fonts may generally be arranged under eight forms: square without stem, as West Haddon; square with stem, as Locking; square with shafts and central column, as Palgrave; cylindrical with stem, as East Haddon; cylindrical without stem, as Lewes; octagonal, generally without stem and shafts, as Witham on the Hill, Lincolnshire; rarely with, as Stibbington; cup-shaped, as Thorney, Sussex; cup-shaped on central stem, as Plymstock. It is highly probable, however, that in later ages some Fonts were mounted on stems for which they were not originally intended, as we have observed on the other hand that of many the stems or shafts were removed. We often find Norman Fonts mounted on Decorated or Perpendicular stems, as Fincham, Norfolk; and some, as at Braccborough in Lincolnshire, are apparently too low and small to have been originally without. But the larger square or circular Norman Fonts were rather like troughs than bowls, and are of sufficient size and height in themselves. In considering the shape of Fonts, we must bear in mind the difliculty which the ancient builders experienced in raising and conveying large blocks of stone. We may reasonably suppose that the ready 21
