DENTELS.—The series of small upright blocks introduced among the bed-mouldings of a cornice. They are supposed to be peculiarly characteristic of the Ionic cornice, but are also employed for the Corinthian one, beneath the modillions, which latter are the principal characteristic of the Corinthian cornice, as dentels alone of the Ionic. DIAMETER.—The lower diameter of the column is taken as the _proportional_ measure for all the other parts and members of an Order, for which purpose it is subdivided into 60 parts, called minutes, or into two _modules_ of 30 minutes each; but the module is quite an unnecessary distinction, not being, like the diameter, the constant measure of any one member of the Order, and the use of it merely adding to the terms of computation. It is surely much more simple and convenient to write 1·40′, meaning 1 diameter and 40 minutes, than 1d. 1m. 10′. Being proportional measures, diameters and minutes are not fixed ones, like feet and inches, but are variable as to the actual dimensions which they express—larger or smaller, according to the actual size of the diameter of the column. For instance, if the diameter be just 5 feet, a minute, being ¹/₆₀, will be exactly 1 inch; if 2½ feet, the minute will be half an inch; or if the diameter be only one foot, the minute is ¹/₆₀ of a foot, or ⅕ of an inch. DIE.—See _Dado_. DIMENSIONS.—In architectural description, some positive dimensions or approximation to them should always be stated. Such mere epithets as _large_, _lofty_, _spacious_, &c., mean nothing,—convey only an exceedingly vague, general idea according to the particular notions of those who employ them; and, like all epithets, they are liable to the most shameful abuse. ECHINUS.—A large convex moulding, generally of elliptical or eccentric contour in the Greek style, and forming the quarter of a circle in the Roman. The echinus is the indicial mark of and constitutes the principal portion of the Doric capital, the other being the abacus; at least the term echinus is applied especially to that member of the capital, although in many Greek examples its profile has scarcely any convexity, but more resembles a portion of an inverted cone (18). In Roman and Modern Architecture the echinus is usually called the _ovolo_. See _Mouldings_.