in architecture, an ascent inclosed between walls, or a balustrade consisting of stairs or steps, with landing places and rails, serving to make a communication between the several stories of a house. See Architecture, § 89, &c.

STALACTITÆ, in natural history, crystalline spars formed into oblong, conical, round, or irregular bodies, composed of various crusts, and usually found hanging in form of icicles from the roofs of grottoes, &c.