Gargoyle, a projecting spout, leading the water from the roof-gutters of buildings. Gargoyles of various forms have been used in almost all styles of architecture, but were peculiarly developed in connection with Gothic architecture. Some gargoyles are small and plain, others large and ornamental, according to their various positions. They are carved into all conceivable forms—angelic, human, and of the lower animals; and, as in fountains, the water is generally spouted through the mouth. In late castel-lated buildings, they frequently assume the form of small cannons projecting from the parapet. Gargoyles are generally carved in stone, but are sometimes executed in wood, and are made of great length so as to throw the water into the gutter formed in the middle of the streets of some old towns. In modern times the use of leaden pipes to convey away the water from roofs has almost entirely superseded the use of gargoyles.