| override_editor, Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition…
“ The abacus in Norman work is square where the columns are small; but on larger piers it is sometimes octagonal, as at Waltham Abbey. The square of the abacus is often sculptured, as at the White Tower and at Alton (fig. 2) . In early English work the abacus is generally circular, and in larger work a continuation of circles (fig. 4) , sometimes octagonal, and occasionally square. The mouldings are generally rounds, which overhang deep hollows. The abacus in early French work is generally square, as at Blois (fig. 3) . ”
