The ornament was extremely conventional, that on capitals, crockets and other free positions consisting of crisply curling trefoil or cinquefoil groups of lobes having little resemblance to natural type. The later windows became more elaborate in the tracery, which was essentially geometric, and further elaborated by cusping. Triforium arches and canopy heads being similar in design. [Illustration: No. 59. Early pointed Gothic Capital.] [Illustration: No. 60. Pointed Gothic tracery Windows. A. Ely Cathedral. B. Meophan Church, Kent.] The central tower, which was common in the Romanesque, developed into the spire, which was carried to a great height; the lower part occasionally pierced with openings for purpose of interior lighting, forming the lantern. _Decorated Gothic_ The principal characteristics of the Decorated period are the form of the Arch, the elimination of detached shafts and the enlarged clerestory with increased lighting area. The Arch, when used structurally, was still of the simple pointed form, but in small windows, niches and canopies, the shape at the head became ogival and the tracery displays considerable license as compared with that of the preceding phase. [Illustration: No. 61. Early pointed Gothic Spire, Warmington.] [Illustration: No. 62. Decorated Gothic Windows. A. Merton College, Oxford. B. Cathedral, Oxford.] Mouldings were shallower as contrasted with the undercut hollows of the earlier period; in many instances the arch mouldings were merely a continuation of those of the supporting piers, which took the place of the earlier detached shafts. The greatest innovation occurs in the foliage, in which natural suggestion is evident, adapted with considerable freedom, and skilful in execution. [Illustration: No. 63. Decorated Gothic Carving, Chancel screen, Southwell Minster.] In the preceding style the foliage of the capitals invariably sprung from the necking, in simple firm curves, revealing the underlying bell-shape. In the Decorated period the foliage generally wreaths round the structural form, the detail being frequently deeply pierced and cut away at the back till it was almost detached, giving an extremely rich effect. Diaper detail of pateræ, or foliage arranged in squares, occurs in the spandrils between arches. [Illustration: No. 64. Decorated Gothic Mouldings.] [Illustration: Nos. 65 & 66. Decorated Gothic Capitals, leaves deeply undercut and wreathed round bell.] A distinct feature of this period and of the succeeding Perpendicular style, is the battlement, which was used in all suitable positions either as a parapet or as a cresting. The Decorated variety differs from the later, in that the moulded edges only appear horizontally, whereas in the Perpendicular period the moulded edge is continuous, being carried round the angles of the battlement. Externally the spire gave place to the tower with culminating lantern.