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ANCIENTS

º R
OF THE

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§
 THE

PNEUMATICS
OF

HERO OF A L EXA ND RIA

FROM THE ORIGINAL GREEK

tr ANSLATED FOR AND EDITED BY

B EN N ET W O O D C R O FT
PROFESSOR OF MACHINERY IN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE LONDON

L ON DO N

PRINTED BY CHARLES WHITTINGHAM

21 TO O K S CO U RT

1851
Nº.º º l Yo
 TO

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT

PRESIDENT OF THE society OF ARTS

this casts
IS BY SPECIAL PERMISSION MOST RESPECTFULLY

DEDICATED

BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS’S OBEDIENT AND

VERY HUMBLE SERVANT,

BENNET WOODCROFT.
 *>S. HILE the Editor of the present work was en
9 gaged in writing an Analytical History of the
Steam-Engine, it became necessary to consult
the antient mechanicians to ascertain who were
the inventors of the several parts composing
the earliest writer on the subject appeared to
be Hero of Alexandria; throughout whose work so many of
the elementary parts of all Steam-Engines, and those also of
most other machines are mentioned, that it was thought a
translation of Hero's Pneumatics would be acceptable not only
to the Engineer but to the scientific world generally.
Although at the commencement of his work, Hero states that
he has added his own discoveries to those “handed down by
“former writers,” yet in no instance has he pointed out any
thing which originated with himself ; nor is there any statement
in the text, except the one I have just quoted, which would
lead the reader to any other conclusion than that the whole is
viii EDITOR'S PREFACE.

a compilation from the works of those who at that period of

time were styled the “antient philosophers and mechanicians.”
Those parts of each vessel or instrument which mechanically
perform the operations assigned to them are alike, or nearly
so, in the four manuscript and the three printed copies of
Hero's works which have been consulted by the Editor; but
great diversity of form is given to the vessel in which they are
placed. The drawings have been made expressly for this work
from the best examples.
The seventy-eighth proposition is the only instance in which
there is an omission of the illustrative drawing, and this occurs
in all the copies; the two drawings which are now supplied to
that proposition have been made from the descriptions given
in the text.
For the Translation of Hero from the Greek, the valuable
assistance of Mr. J. G. Greenwood, Fellow of University Col
lege, London, has been obtained : he is the recently appointed
Professor of the Languages and Literature of Greece and
Rome, in Owen's College, Manchester.
It is confidently hoped that this Translation will be found
superior to its predecessors in whatever language; and that it
will prove not only generally interesting but practically useful.
 Žº S
§joNCERNING Hero of Alexandria, the author
- - -

ſº Nº
º
of the treatise here translated, little is known
- - -

º with certainty. When his name and the place

§º Q., º
of his abode have been given, all that can be
Fºº positively affirmed is exhausted. We are fur
ther told by Hero the younger, who is supposed to have writ
ten in the seventh century A. D., that Hero, the author of the
“Preumatics,” was a pupil of Ctesibius;–a statement suffi
ciently probable from the character of his works, and strength
ened by the inscription "Howoc Krnoiſłlov” prefixed to another
work by Hero on the construction of missiles.
Even the precise period at which Hero lived is a debated
point. From his own writings all that can be gathered is that
he knew the works of Archimedes, and of Philo the Byzantian,
who, again, is known to have been a contemporary of Ctesi
bius; and, as the earliest mention of him by others is as low

* This has, indeed, been conjectured to be an error for "Hpovoc i, Krmat}ſov,

but Baldi (in his edition of the Belopoeica, p. 44,) has satisfactorily proved that
Hero was the writer.
b
X TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.

down as the fourth century A. D., external evidence, even if it

were distinct, would be little trustworthy. Such evidence,
however, is vague and scanty. The only direct statement
bearing on the date of Hero is the assertion that he was the
pupil of Ctesibius. The date of IIero therefore depends on
the date of Ctesibius, and this has been variously fixed by dif
ferent chronologists.
Clinton, (F. H. vol. iii. pp. 535, 538.) who puts Hero as
low down as the end of the second century B. C., proceeds on
the following evidence: Athenaeus (vol. iv. p. 174, edit.
Schweighaeuser) quotes one Aristocles as saying, in a work
trºpi Xopov, of the water-organ, paal rooro supnoffat wird Krmat}lov xoupéwc
#vrav0a oikouvroc iv tº ‘Aatrev&iq ūri row &vrépov Eispytrov' &lampēla ré page
utyáAwc. Now Euergetes II. (Ptolemy VII.) reigned from
B. c. 170 to B. c. 117, and hence Clinton assigns Hero, the
pupil of Ctesibius, to the reign of Ptolemy VIII. that is, to B. C.
117-81.
Fabricius, on the other hand, (Bibl. Graec. vol. iv. pp. 222,
234, edit. Harl.) setting out from an entirely different datum,
places him more than a hundred years earlier, in the time of
Ptolemy Philadelphus (Euergetes I.): Athenaeus Mechanicus,
(one of the mechanical writers whose works are printed in the
Veterum Mathematicorum Opera), in his treatise tripi unxavmudrov,
p. 8, speaks of Ctesibius as a contemporary; his words are
Krnalſ?ioc d'Aok\mvoc, d v 'A\téavěpsig unxavukóc. This treatise is de
dicated to a Marcellus, and Fabricius, assuming, after Hero
junior, this Marcellus to be the conqueror of Syracuse, has
hence assigned Ctesibius and Hero to the reigns of the second
and third Ptolemies (B. c. 285-222).
 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. xi

Of these conflicting dates that assigned by Clinton has been

generally adopted. The question is discussed at some length
by Schweighaeuser, in a note on the passage of Athenaeus re
ferred to above: he deems the identification of the patron of
Athenaeus Mechanicus with the conqueror of Syracuse to be
unwarranted, and, besides, thinks it most unlikely that at so
early a period a Greek should dedicate a work on military en
gines to any Roman. But from the expression employed by
Athenaeus, (º ashvórare MápkéMAs,) it may be inferred that his
patron was a man of very exalted rank; and the second objection
from the alleged improbability that a Greek should dedicate
such a work to a Roman at that period will hardly be thought
to apply at the period referred to, while the skill displayed by
Marcellus in the siege of Syracuse, and the regret expressed
by him for the fate of Archimedes, (whether genuine or not,)
may well have suggested the dedication to him of a work on
military engineering. The assumption of Fabricius, then, is,
in itself, not to be too hastily rejected; and it will be seen that
it is not so irreconcileable with the statement of Aristocles as
has been supposed. Fabricius has carried back the date fur
ther than his argument requires or even warrants. Marcellus
was killed B. c. 208: Athenaeus might have inscribed his work
to him about B. C. 212 or 210; at this period, then, we must
suppose Ctesibius to have been known as a philosopher,” but
he may have lived far into the succeeding century, possibly

* That Ctesibius began his researches at an early age may be inferred from
the fact mentioned by Vitruvius, ix. 9. (edit. Schneider.)
xii TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.

even into the reign of Euergetes II. (B. c. 170-117); Hero

would thus be placed about B. c. 150, a result by no means in
consistent with the statement of Aristocles, since it is not neces
sary, with Clinton, to assign the whole of the long reign of
Euergetes II. to Ctesibius, and then to put Hero so low down
as the reign of Ptolemy VIII.
The treatise on Pneumatics was first published in an Italian
translation by Aleotti (Bologna, 1547). In 1575 appeared a
Latin version by F. Commandine (Urbino, 1575): this trans
lation, through which the work has been most extensively
known, was reprinted at Amsterdam and at Paris. Several
other translations were made into Italian, and one into German
(see Fabricius, iv. p. 235). It was not till the year 1693, and
subsequently to the appearance of all the versions named
above, that the Greek text was published at Paris in the Vete
rum Mathematicorum Opera. The design of this collection was
formed by Thevenot, deputy librarian of the Royal library in
the reign of Louis XIV., and after his death it was carried out
by De la Hire. Thevenot's plan was to publish an accurate
transcript of the MSS. of the several authors. The inevitable
obscurity arising from the numerous corruptions which had
crept into the manuscripts was to be remedied by an appendix
of notes and a Latin translation. But for the Pneumatics
of Hero it seemed sufficient to adopt the already well-known
translation of Commandine; and, in consequence, of the eight
MSS. of this treatise existing in the Royal Library, that one
was chosen which most nearly agreed with the Latin version.
This MS. was closely followed, and, as might be expected, the
 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. xiii

printed text is extremely corrupt : not unfrequently entire

clauses are wanting, which, ending with the same word as the
clause preceding, seem to have been passed over by the tran
scriber, whose eye, in returning from his copy to the original,
rested on the second instead of the first of the two similar words.
These defective passages, which appear to have been con
jecturally restored by Commandine, have been supplied in the
present translation from MSS. of Hero preserved in the British
Museum. These MSS. are described in the appendix, where
the most important cases in which the printed text has been
supplemented, or otherwise amended, from this source are col
lected. When any words are included in the translation be
tween brackets, it is to be understood that they appear neither
in the text nor in any of the MSS. collated, but have been in
serted as necessary to the sense.
The other treatises of Hero are:–1. On the construction of
slings. 2. On the construction of missiles. 3. On automata.
These are published in Greek and Latin in the Vet. Math.
4. On the method of lifting heavy bodies. This treatise has
not yet been edited : it exists only in an Arabic translation.
5. On the “dioptra” or spying-tube: also inedited. It exists
in manuscript in the Royal Library at Vienna, and among the
MSS. of Hero contained in the Library of the University of
Strasburgh. Schweighaeuser in his notice of these MSS. (ap.
Fabric. iv. p. 226), intimates that this treatise is of much in
terest, and contains an account of the dioptra “newly invented
or improved by Hero himself.” Some help might perhaps be
derived from it towards the settlement of Hero's date, as the
xiv TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE.

dioptra is mentioned and minutely commented on by Polybius.

Several other treatises, entirely lost, are enumerated by Fabri
cius, iv. p. 236.
A question of great interest presents itself as to the claim of
Hero to be considered as the inventor of the several machines
and methods described by him. In the introduction of the
“Pneumatica” he declares that his purpose is to arrange in
order the discoveries of his predecessors, and to add to them
his own. The treatise on the construction of missiles is as
cribed in some MSS. to Ctesibius, (as in one at Leyden, Fa
bric. iv. p. 229,) while at the end of a MS. of the same work
in the Library of Vienna are these words, ràoc rov 'Apxuñºovc
BeXotrotikov, rov *śnymbávrov trapd "Howvoc Krmatſłłov. Again, it is sin
gular that neither Pliny nor Vitruvius has any reference to
Hero, though Ctesibius and his inventions are repeatedly men
tioned. Vitruvius (x. 7) minutely describes a machine for
raising water to a great height, which he expressly ascribes to
Ctesibius; and in the following chapter he treats, at great
length, of the construction of water-organs, yet without any
notice of Hero. Both Pliny and Vitruvius expressly name
Ctesibius as famous for his skill in the invention of pneumatic
and hydraulic instruments. Pliny’s words are (vii. 38) “Lau
“ datus est Ctesibius pneumatica ratione et hydraulicis organis
“repertis.” Vitruvius, (x. 7, compare also ix. 8,) after his
description of the machine for raising water, says “Nectamen
“haec sola ratio Ctesibii fertur exquisita, sed etiam plures et
“variis generibus ab eo liquore pressionibus coacto spiritus
“efferre ab natura mutuatos effectus ostenduntur, uti merula
 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. X w.

“rum aquae motu voces, atque engibata, quae bibentia tandem

“movent sigilla, caeteraque quae delectationibus oculorum et
“aurium usu sensus eblandiuntur.” He refers the curious to
the commentaries of Ctesibius himself. How well this descrip
tion of Ctesibius' inventions suits the general character of
those preserved by Hero, will be manifest at once. Vitruvius,
as Schneider has pointed out,” seems to have had no know
ledge of Hero's Pneumatics, as both the forcing-pump and the
water-organ differ in several important particulars from those
of Hero: he does not even notice the application of the forcing
pump in extinguishing conflagrations. This silence on the
part of Vitruvius and Pliny, so remarkable on the supposition
that Hero was an original discoverer, is more easily accounted
for if we regard him rather as the interpreter of Ctesibius...}
For further details on the life and writings of Hero, the
reader is referred to Fabricius, iv. pp. 222-239, Smith's Dic
tionary of Biography, and Baldi de Vita Heronis, in his edition
of the Belopoeica.
J. G. G.
Jan. 31, 1851.

* On Vitruvius, x. 7. The sections of Hero and the corresponding chapters of

Vitruvius are minutely compared by Schneider, Vitruv. vol. iii. pp. 283-330.
+ Baldi arrives at the same conclusion: (p. 74). “Caeterum haud immerito
“quispiam dubitaverit quam ob rem Architectus Heronis nostri nomen silentio
“praeterierit. Nos ideo factum putamus quod ille Ctesibio utpote inventori ea
“tribuere maluerit quae ab Herone locupletiora et illustriora quam ipse a magistro
“accepisset evulgata fuere.”
 CORRIGENDA.

Page 4, line 3, for them read it.

14, figure. The mouth of the vessel should be open.
25, line 8, for ºf read Î.
35, . . 25, after P R, read so that the goblet may be filled, and the
pedestal M N ox as high, &c.
40, . . 6, for Wine and Water read Wine-and- Water.
—, figure. The pipe s T should connect the vessels A B and c D
near their bases.
43, line 23, for across a third pulley, c, to another pulley, s, read
across the pulley s to another pulley, T.
61, . . 12, dele, after vessel.
62. . . 7
– . . 27 X for the Hercules read Hercules.
63, . . 6
79, . . 1, dele , after attached.
84, . . 4, read (from which extends the hand of the figure which
is to pour the libation.)
—, . . 6, read side of the wine vessel.
89, . . 23, for escaping read entering.
96, . . 18, dele, after partition.
105, . . 6, after this insert and communicating with it.
 CONTENTS.

Page

º(HE bent Siphon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Q 2. Concentric or inclosed Siphon . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
* 3. Uniform discharge Siphon . . . . .
º
16
*& 4. Siphon which is capable of discharging a greater or less quantity of
Liquid with uniformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5. A Vessel for withdrawing Air from a Siphon . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6. A Vessel for retaining or discharging a Liquid at pleasure . . . . . . . 19
7. A Vessel for discharging Liquids of different temperatures at pleasure . . . . 20
8. A Wessel for discharging Liquids in varying proportions . . . . . . . . 22
9. A Water Jet produced by mechanically compressed Air . . . . . . . . 23
10. A Valve for a Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
11. Libations on an Altar produced by Fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
12. A Vessel from which the contents flow when filled to a certain height . . . . 27
13. Two Wessels from which the contents flow, by a Liquid being poured into one only. 28
14. A Bird made to whistle by flowing Water . . . . . . . .
- 29
15. Birds made to sing and be silent alternately by flowing Water . . . . . . 31
16. Trumpets sounded by flowing Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
17. Sounds produced on the opening of a Temple Door . . . . . . . . . . 33
18. Drinking Horn from which either Wine or Water will flow . . . . . . . 34
19. A Vessel containing a Liquid of uniform height, although a Stream flows from it. 35
20. A Vessel which remains full, although Water be drawn from it . . . . . . 36
21. Sacrificial Wessel which flows only when Money is introduced. . . . . . . 37
22. A Wessel from which a variety of Liquids may be made to flow through one Pipe. 38
23. A Flow of Wine from one Wessel, produced by Water being poured into another. 39
24. A Pipe from which flows Wine and Water in varying proportions . . . . . 40
25. A Wessel from which Wine flows in proportion as Water is withdrawn . . . . 41
26. A Vessel from which Wine flows in proportion as Water is poured into another. 43
27. The Fire-Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
C
xviii CONTENTS.
Page
28. An Automaton which drinks at certain times only, on a Liquid being presented
to it - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 46
29. An Automaton which may be made to drink at any time, on a Liquid being pre
sented to it - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47
30. An Automaton which will drink any quantity that may be presented to it . 48
31. A Wheel in a Temple, which, on being turned liberates purifying Water . 49
32. A Vessel containing different Wines, any one of which may be liberated by placing
a certain Weight in a Cup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
33. A self-trimming Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
34. A Vessel from which Liquid may be made to flow, on any portion of Water being
poured into it . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
35. A Vessel which will hold a certain quantity of Liquid when the supply is continu
ous, will only receive a portion of such Liquid if the supply is intermittent. 54
36. A Satyr pouring Water from a Wine-skin into a full Washing-Basin, without
making the contents overflow. - - -
55
37. Temple Doors opened by Fire on an Altar. 57

. Other intermediate means of opening Temple Doors by Fire on an Altar . 59

39. Wine flowing from a Vessel may be arrested on the Introduction of Water, but,

when the Supply of Water ceases, the Wine flows again . 60

40. On an Apple being lifted, Hercules shoots a Dragon which then hisses 62
41. A Wessel from which uniform Quantities only of Liquid can be poured. 64
42. A Water-Jet actuated by compressed Air from the Lungs . . . . . . . 65
43. Notes from a Bird produced at intervals by an intermittent Stream of Water. 66
44. Notes produced from several Birds in succession, by a Stream of Water 67
45. A Jet of Steam supporting a Sphere . . . . . . . 68
46. The World represented in the Centre of the Universe . 68
47. A Fountain which trickles by the Action of the Sun's Rays 69
48. A Thyrsus made to whistle by being submerged in Water . . . . . . 70
49. A Trumpet, in the Hands of an Automaton, sounded by compressed Air . 71
50. The Steam-Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
5l. A Wessel from which flowing Water may be stopped at pleasure. 73
52. A Drinking-Horn in which a peculiarly formed Siphon is fixed 74
. A Vessel in which Water and Air ascend and descend alternately . . . . .
. Water driven from the Mouth of a Wine-skin in the Hands of a Satyr, by means
of compressed Air . . 76
55. A Vessel, out of which Water flows as it is poured in, but if the supply is with
held, Water will not flow again, until the Vessel is half filled; and on the
supply being again stopped, it will not then flow until the Vessel is filled. 77
56. A Cupping-Glass, to which is attached, an Air-exhausted Compartment 79
57. Description of a Syringe 80
 CONTENTS. xix

Page
. A Wessel from which a Flow of Wine can be stopped, by pouring into it a small
Measure of Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
59. A Vessel from which Wine or Water may be made to flow, separately or mixed. 82
60. Libations poured on an Altar, and a Serpent made to hiss, by the Action of Fire. 83
61. Water flowing from a Siphon ceases on surrounding the End of its longer Side
with Water • - - - - - - - - - - - - 85
62. A Vessel which emits a Sound when a Liquor is poured from it . . . . . . 86
63. A Water-Clock, made to govern the quantities of Liquid flowing from a Vessel. 87
64. A Drinking-Horn from which a Mixture of Wine and Water, or pure Water may
be made to flow alternately or together, at pleasure . . . 89

. A Vessel from which Wine or Water may be made to flow separately or mixed . 90
66. Wine discharged into a Cup in any required quantity . 91
67. A Goblet into which as much Wine flows as is taken out . . . . . . . . 92
68. A Shrine over which a Bird may be made to revolve and sing by Worshippers
turning a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
69. A Siphon fixed in a Vessel from which the Discharge shall cease at will 94
70. Figures made to dance by Fire on an Altar . . . . . . . . . . . 95
71. A Lamp in which the Oil can be raised by Water contained within its Stand. 96
72. A Lamp in which the Oil is raised by blowing Air into it . - -
98
73. A Lamp in which the Oil is raised by Water as required . . . . . . . . 99
74. A Steam-Boiler from which a hot-Air blast, or hot-Air mixed with Steam is blown
into the Fire, and from which hot Water flows on the introduction of cold. 100
. A Steam-Boiler from which either a hot Blast may be driven into the Fire, a
Blackbird made to sing, or a Triton to blow a Horn 103
76. An Altar Organ blown by manual Labour . . . . 105
77. An Altar Organ blown by the agency of a Wind-mill - - - - -
108
78. An Automaton, the head of which continues attached to the body, after a knife

has entered the neck at one side, passed completely through it, and out at
the other; which animal will drink immediately after the operation 109
 having been deemed worthy of close attention by the
ancient philosophers and mechanists, the former de
ducing them theoretically, the latter from the action
of sensible bodies, we also have thought proper to ar
range in order what has been handed down by former
writers, and to add thereto our own discoveries: a task from which
much advantage will result to those who shall hereafter devote them
selves to the study of mathematics. We are further led to write this
work from the consideration that it is fitting that the treatment of this
subject should correspond with the method given by us in our treatise,
in four books, on water-clocks. For, by the union of air, earth, fire and
water, and the concurrence of three, or four, elementary principles, vari
ous combinations are effected, some of which supply the most pressing
wants of human life, while others produce amazement and alarm.
But, before proceeding to our proper subject, we must treat of the
vacuum. Some assert that there is absolutely no vacuum ; others that,
while no continuous vacuum is exhibited in nature, it is to be found
distributed in minute portions through air, water, fire and all other
substances: and this latter opinion, which we will presently demonstrate
to be true from sensible phenomena, we adopt. Vessels which seem to
most men empty are not empty, as they suppose, but full of air. Now
B
2 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

the air, as those who have treated of physics are agreed, is composed of
particles minute and light, and for the most part invisible. If, then,
we pour water into an apparently empty vessel, air will leave the vessel
proportioned in quantity to the water which enters it. This may be
seen from the following experiment. Let the vessel which seems to be
empty be inverted, and, being carefully kept upright, pressed down into
water; the water will not enter it even though it be entirely immersed:
so that it is manifest that the air, being matter, and having itself filled
all the space in the vessel, does not allow the water to enter. Now, if
we bore the bottom of the vessel, the water will enter through the
mouth, but the air will escape through the hole. Again, if, before per
forating the bottom, we raise the vessel vertically, and turn it up, we
shall find the inner surface of the vessel entirely free from moisture,
exactly as it was before immersion. Hence it must be assumed that the
air is matter. The air when set in motion becomes wind, (for wind is
nothing else but air in motion), and if, when the bottom of the vessel
has been pierced and the water is entering, we place the hand over the
hole, we shall feel the wind escaping from the vessel; and this is
nothing else but the air which is being driven out by the water. It
is not then to be supposed that there exists in nature a distinct and
continuous vacuum, but that it is distributed in small measures through
air and liquid and all other bodies. Adamant alone might be thought
not to partake of this quality, as it does not admit of fusion or fracture,
and, when beaten against anvils or hammers, buries itself in them en
tire. This peculiarity however is due to its excessive density : for the
particles of fire, being coarser than the void spaces in the stone, do
not pass through them, but only touch the outer surface; consequently,
as they do not penetrate into this, as into other substances, no heat
results. The particles of the air are in contact with each other, yet
they do not fit closely in every part, but void spaces are left between
them, as in the sand on the sea shore: the grains of sand must be ima
gined to correspond to the particles of air, and the air between the
grains of sand to the void spaces between the particles of air. Hence,
 HERO OF ALEXAND RIA. 3

when any force is applied to it, the air is compressed, and, contrary
to its nature, falls into the vacant spaces from the pressure exerted on
its particles: but when the force is withdrawn, the air returns again
to its former position from the elasticity of its particles, as is the case
with horn shavings and sponge, which, when compressed and set free
again, return to the same position and exhibit the same bulk. Simi
larly, if from the application of force the particles of air be divided and
a vacuum be produced larger than is natural, the particles unite again
afterwards; for bodies will have a rapid motion through a vacuum, where
there is nothing to obstruct or repel them, until they are in contact.
Thus, if a light vessel with a narrow mouth be taken and applied to the
lips, and the air be sucked out and discharged, the vessel will be sus
pended from the lips, the vacuum drawing the flesh towards it that the
exhausted space may be filled. It is manifest from this that there was
a continuous vacuum in the vessel. The same may be shown by means
of the egg-shaped cups used by physicians, which are of glass,” and have

* “Glass working was practised by the ancient Egyptians at a very early period of their
national existence. Sir J. G. Wilkinson, in his able work on the Manners and Customs
of the ancient Egyptians, has adduced three distinct proofs that the art of Glass working
was practised in Egypt before the Exodus of the children of Israel from that land, three
thousand five hundred years ago. At Beni Hassan are two paintings representing Glass
blowers at work, and from the hieroglyphics accompanying them they are shown to have been

the skill of the Egyptians in glass making, that they successively counterfeited the Amethyst
4 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

narrow mouths. When they wish to fill these with liquid, after sucking
out the contained air, they place the finger on the vessel's mouth and
invert them into the liquid; then, the finger being withdrawn, the
water is drawn up into the exhausted space, though the upward motion
is against its nature. Very similar is the operation of cupping-glasses,
which, when applied to the body, not only do not fall though of con
siderable weight, but even draw the contiguous matter toward them
through the apertures of the body. The explanation is that the fire
placed in them consumes and rarefies the air they contain, just as other
substances, water, air or earth are consumed and pass over into more
subtle substances.

and other precious stones worn as ornaments for the person. Winckelmann, a high autho
rity, is of opinion that glass was employed more frequently in ancient than in modern times;
it was used by the Egyptians even for coffins; (within the year 1847 a process was pa
tented in England for making Coffins of Glass) they also employed it not only for drink
ing vessels but for Mosaic work, the figures of deities, and sacred emblems, in which they
attained excellent workmanship, and surprising brilliancy of colour.
“It is certain that the glass houses of Alexandria were celebrated among the ancients for
the skill and ingenuity of their workmen; and from thence the Romans, who did not acquire
a knowledge of the art till a later period, procured all their Glass ware.
“Most of the large cinerary vases in the British Museum, found in Roman barrows which
contained bones and bone-ashes, are, probably, the production of extensive Egyptian or
Roman works: they are large, and of excellent form and workmanship: but the Glass is
somewhat impure, of a greenish tint, has numerous globules and striae, and is not unlike the
modern common crown or sheet glass in quality.
“We have incidentally mentioned the discovery of Glass at Pompeii. Glass vessels have
also been found among the ruins of Herculaneum; and it appears that Glass was used for
admitting light to dwellings in Pompeii.
“Mr. Auldjo, of Noel house, Kensington, who resided several years at Naples, states, that
he has seen glass in the window-frames of some of the houses of Pompeii.
“Mr. Roach Smith has a specimen of ancient flat Glass such as he believes to have been
used by the Romans, or their predecessors for windows.— Curiosities of Glass making by
Apsley PELLAT, London, 1849.
Mr. Layard in his interesting work on Nineveh, 1849, London, in Vol. 1, page 342, says:
“I took the instrument, and, working cautiously myself, was rewarded by the discovery
of two small vases, one in alabaster, the other in glass (both in the most perfect preserva
tion) of elegant shape, and admirable workmanship. Each bore the name and title of the
Khorsabad King, written in two different ways, as in the inscriptions of Khorsabad."
 HERO OF ALEXAN DRIA. 5

That something is consumed by the action of fire is manifest from

coal-cinders, which, preserving the same bulk as they had before com
bustion, or nearly so, differ very much in weight. The consumed parts
pass away with the smoke into a substance of fire or air or earth : the
subtlest parts pass into the highest region where fire is ; the parts some
what coarser than these into air, and those coarser still, having been
borne with the others a certain space by the current, descend again into
the lower regions and mingle with earthy substances. Water also,
when consumed by the action of fire, is transformed into air; for the
vapour arising from cauldrons placed upon flames is nothing but the
evaporation from the liquid passing into air. That fire, then, dissolves
and transforms all bodies grosser than itself is evident from the above
facts. Again, in the exhalations that rise from the earth the grosser
kinds of matter are changed into subtler substances; for dew is sent
up from the evaporation of the water contained in the earth by exhalation;
and this exhalation is produced by some igneous substance, when the
sun is under the earth and warms the ground below, especially if the
soil be sulphureous or bituminous, and the ground thus warmed increases
the exhalation. The warm springs found in the earth are due to the
same cause. The lighter portions of the dew, then, pass into air ; the
grosser, after being borne upwards for a certain space from the force of
the exhalation, when this has cooled at the return of the sun, descend
again to the surface.
Winds are produced from excessive exhalation, whereby the air is
disturbed and rarefied, and sets in motion the air in immediate contact
with it. This movement of the air, however, is not everywhere of uni
form velocity: it is more violent in the neighbourhood of the exhalation,
where the motion began; fainter at a greater distance from it: just as
heavy bodies, when rising, move more rapidly in the lower region
where the propelling force is, and more slowly in the higher; and when
the force which originally propelled them no longer acts upon them,
they return to their natural position, that is, to the surface of the earth.
If the propelling force continued to urge them onward with equal velo
6 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

city, they would never have stopped; but now the force gradually ceases,
being as it were expended, and the speed of the motion ceases with it.
Water, again, is transformed into an earthy substance: if we pour
water into an earthy and hollow place, after a short time the water disap
pears, being absorbed by the earthy substance, so that it mingles with,
and is actually transformed into, earth. And if any one says that it is
not transformed or absorbed by the earth, but is drawn out by heat, either
of the sun or some other body, he shall be shewn to be mistaken : for if
the same water be put into a vessel of glass, or bronze, or any other
solid material, and placed in the sun, for a considerable time it is not
diminished except in a very small degree. Water, therefore, is trans
formed into an earthy substance : indeed, slime and mud are transfor
mations of water into earth.
Moreover, the more subtle substance is transformed into the grosser;
as in the case of the flame of a lamp dying out for want of oil,--we see
it for a time borne upwards and, as it were, striving to reach its proper
region, that is, the highest of all above the atmosphere, till, overpowered
by the mass of intervening air, it no longer tends to its kindred place,
but, as though mixed and interwoven with the particles of air, becomes
air itself. The same may be observed with air. For, if a small vessel
containing air and carefully closed be placed in water with the mouth
uppermost, and then, the vessel being uncovered, the water be allowed to
rush in, the air escapes from the vessel; but, being overpowered by the
mass of water, it mingles with it again and is transformed so as to be
COme water.

When, therefore, the air in the cupping glasses, being in like manner
consumed and rarefied by fire, issues through the pores in the sides of
the glass, the space within is exhausted and draws towards it the matter
adjacent, of whatever kind it may be. But, if the cupping glass be
slightly raised, the air will enter the exhausted space and no more
matter will be drawn up.
They, then, who assert that there is absolutely no vacuum may invent
many arguments on this subject, and perhaps seem to discourse most
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 7

plausibly though they offer no tangible proof. If, however, it be

shewn by an appeal to sensible phenomena that there is such a thing as
a continuous vacuum, but artificially produced; that a vacuum exists
also naturally, but scattered in minute portions; and that by compres
sion bodies fill up these scattered vacua, those who bring forward such
plausible arguments in this matter will no longer be able to make good
their ground.
Provide a spherical vessel, of the thickness of metal plate so as not
to be easily crushed, containing about 8 cotylae (2 quarts). When this
has been tightly closed on every side, pierce a hole in it, and insert a
siphon, or slender tube, of bronze, so as not to touch the part diametri
cally opposite to the point of perforation, that a passage may be left for
water. The other end of the siphon must project about 3 fingers' breadth
(2 in.) above the globe, and the circumference of the aperture through
which the siphon is inserted must be closed with tin applied both to the
siphon and to the outer surface of the globe, so that when it is desired
to breathe through the siphon no air may possibly escape from the
vessel. Let us watch the result. The globe, like other vessels com
monly said to be empty, contains air, and as this air fills all the space
within it and presses uniformly against the inner surface of the vessel,
if there is no vacuum, as some suppose, we can neither introduce water
nor more air, unless the air contained before make way for it; and if
by the application of force we make the attempt, the vessel, being full,
will burst sooner than admit it. For the particles of air cannot be con
densed, as there must in that case be interstices between them, by com
pression into which their bulk may become less; but this is not credible
if there is no vacuum : nor again, as the particles press against one
another throughout their whole surface and likewise against the sides
of the vessel, can they be pushed away so as to make room if there is no
vacuum. Thus in no way can anything from without be introduced into
the globe unless some portion of the previously contained air escape; if,
that is to say, the whole space is closely and uniformly filled, as the ob
jectors suppose. And yet, if any one, inserting the siphon in his mouth,
8 A TREATISE ON PNEU MATICS.

shall blow into the globe, he will introduce much wind without any of the
previously contained air giving way. And, this being the uniform re
sult, it is clearly shewn that a condensation takes place of the particles
contained in the globe into the interspersed vacua. The condensation
however is effected artificially by the forcible introduction of air. Now
if, after blowing into the vessel, we bring the hand close to the mouth,
and quickly cover the siphon with the finger, the air remains the whole
time pent up in the globe; and on the removal of the finger the intro
duced air will rush out again with a loud noise, being thrust out, as we
stated, by the expansion of the original air which takes place from its elas
ticity. Again, if we draw out the air in the globe by suction through the
siphon, it will follow abundantly, though no other substance take its place
in the vessel, as has been said in the case of the egg. By this experiment
it is completely proved that an accumulation of vacuum goes on in the
globe; for the particles of air left behind cannot grow larger in the in
terval so as to occupy the space left by the particles driven out. For
if they increase in magnitude when no foreign substance can be added,
it must be supposed that this increase arises from expansion, which is
equivalent to a re-arrangement of the particles through the production
of a vacuum. But it is maintained that there is no vacuum ; the parti
cles therefore will not become larger, for it is not possible to imagine
for them any other mode of increase. It is clear, then, from what has
been said that certain void spaces are interspersed between the particles
of the air, into which, when force is applied, they fall contrary to their
natural action.
The air contained in the vessel inverted in water does not undergo
much compression, for the compressing force is not considerable, seeing
that water, in its own nature, possesses neither weight nor power of ex
cessive pressure. Whence it is that, though divers to the bottom of the
sea support an immense weight of water on their backs, respiration is
not compelled by the water, though the air contained in their nostrils is
extremely little. It is worth while here to examine what reason is given
why those who dive deep, supporting on their backs an immense weight
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 9

of water, are not crushed. Some say that it is because water is of uniform
weight: but these give no reason why divers are not crushed by the
water above. The true reason may be shewn as follows. Let us imagine
the column of liquid which is directly over the surface of the object
under pressure, (in immediate contact with which the water is,) to be a
body of the same weight and form as the superincumbent liquid, and
that this is so placed in the water that its under surface coincides with
the surface of the body pressed, resting upon it in the same manner as
the previously superincumbent liquid, with which it exactly corresponds.
It is clear, then, that this body does not project above the liquid in
which it is immersed, and will not sink beneath its surface. For Archi
medes has shewn, in his work on “Floating Bodies,’ that bodies of equal
weight with any liquid, when immersed in it, will neither project above
nor sink beneath its surface : therefore they will not exert pressure on
objects beneath. Again, such a body, if all objects which exert pres
sure from above be removed, remains in the same place; how then can
a body which has no tendency downward exert pressure? Similarly,
the liquid displaced by the body will not exert pressure on objects be
neath; for, as regards rest and motion, the body in question does [not]
differ from the liquid which occupies the same space.
Again, that void spaces exist may be seen from the following consi
derations: for, if there were not such spaces, neither light, nor heat, nor
any other material force could penetrate through water, or air, or any
body whatever. How could the rays of the sun, for example, penetrate
through water to the bottom of the vessel? If there were no pores in the
fluid, and the rays thrust the water aside by force, the consequence
would be that full vessels would overflow, which however does not take
place. Again, if the rays thrust the water aside by force, it would
not be found that some were reflected while others penetrated below;
but now all those rays that impinge upon the particles of the water are
driven back, as it were, and reflected, while those that come in contact
with the void spaces, meeting with but few particles, penetrate to the
bottom of the vessel. It is clear, too, that void spaces exist in water
C
10 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

from this, that, when wine is poured into water, it is seen to spread it
self through every part of the water, which it would not do if there were
no vacua in the water. Again, one light traverses another; for, when
several lamps are lighted, all objects are brilliantly illuminated, the rays
passing in every direction through each other. And indeed it is possi
ble to penetrate through bronze, iron, and all other bodies, as is seen in
the instance of the marine torpedo.
That a continuous vacuum can be artificially produced has been shewn
by the application of a light vessel to the mouth, and by the egg of phy
sicians. With regard, then, to the nature of the vacuum, though other
proofs exist, we deem those that have been given, and which are founded
on sensible phenomena, to be sufficient. It may, therefore, be affirmed
In this matter that every body is composed of minute particles, between
which are empty spaces less than the particles of the body, (so that we
erroneously say that there is no vacuum except by the application of
force, and that every place is full either of air, or water, or some other
substance), and, in proportion as any one of these particles recedes,
some other follows it and fills the vacant space: that there is no con
tinuous vacuum except by the application of some force: and again, that
the absolute vacuum is never found, but is produced artificially.
These things having been clearly explained, let us treat of the theo
rems resulting from the combination of these principles; for, by means
of them, many curious and astonishing kinds of motion may be dis
covered. After these preliminary considerations we will begin by treat
ing of the bent siphon, which is most useful in many ways in Pneumatics.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 1|

No. 1. The bent Siphon.

£º º
º sº ET A B c, (fig. 1), be a bent siphon, or tube, of which
-> º the leg A B is plunged into a vessel D E containing
º: water. If the surface of
º 2.) the water is in f G, the leg
} of the siphon, A B, will be
=º filled with water as high
as the surface, that is, up to H, the portion
H B c remaining full of air. If, then, we
draw off the air by suction through the aper
ture c, the liquid also will follow from the
impossibility, explained above, of a continu
ous vacuum. And, if the aperture c be level
with the surface of the water, the siphon,
though full, will not discharge the water, but
will remain full: so that, although it is con
trary to nature for water to rise, it has risen
so as to fill the tube A B C ; and the water will
remain in equilibrium, like the beams of a
balance, the portion H B being raised on high,
and the portion b c suspended. But if the
outer mouth of the siphon be lower than the -

surface F g, as at K, the water flows out; for the liquid in K B, being

heavier, overpowers and draws toward it the liquid in B H. The dis
charge, however, continues only until the surface of the water is on a
level with the mouth K, when, for the same reason as before, the efflux
ceases. But if the outer mouth of the tube be lower than K, as at L, the
discharge continues until the surface of the water reaches the mouth A.
If then we wish all the water in the vessel to be drawn out, we must
depress the siphon so far that the mouth A may reach the bottom of the
vessel, leaving only a passage for the water.

ºu LºChöS MUSeum
12 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

Now some writers have given the above explanation of the action of
the siphon, saying that the longer leg, holding more, attracts the
shorter. But that such an explanation is incorrect, and that he who be
lieves so would be greatly mistaken if he were to attempt to raise water
from a lower level, we may prove as follows. Let there be a siphon
with its inner leg longer and narrow, and the outer much less in length
but broader so as to contain more water than the longer leg. Then,
having first filled the siphon with water, plunge the longer leg into a
vessel of water or a well. Now, if we allow the water to flow, the
outer leg, containing more than the inner, should draw the water out
of the longer leg, which will at the same time draw up the water in
the well; and the discharge having begun will exhaust all the water
or continue for ever, since the liquid without is more than that within.
But this is not found to be the case; and therefore the alleged cause
is not the true one. Let us then examine into the natural cause. The
surface of every liquid body, when at rest, is spherical and concentric
with that of the earth; and, if the liquid be not at rest, it moves until
it attains such a surface. If then we take two vessels and pour water
into each, and, after filling the siphon and closing its extremities with
the fingers, insert one leg into one vessel plunging it beneath the water,
and the other into the other, all the water will be continuous, for each
of the liquids in the vessels communicates with that in the siphon. If,
then, the surfaces of the liquids in the vessels were at the same level
before, they will both remain at rest when the siphon is plunged in.
But if they were not, as soon as the water is continuous it must inevi
tably flow into the lower vessel through the channel of communication,
until either all the water in both vessels stands at the same height, or
one of the vessels is emptied. Suppose that the liquids stand at the
same height; they will of course be at rest, so that the liquid in the
siphon will also be at rest. If, then, the siphon be conceived to be
intersected by a plane in the surface of the liquids in the vessels, even
now the liquid in the siphon will be at rest, and, if raised without being
inclined to either side, it will again be at rest, and that, whether the
siphon is of equal breadth throughout or one leg is much larger than
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 13

the other. For the reason why the liquid remained at rest did not lie
in this, but in the fact that the apertures of the siphon were at the
same level. The question now arises why, when the siphon is raised,
the water is not borne down by its own weight, having beneath it air
which is lighter than itself. The answer is that a continuous void
cannot exist; so that, if the water is to descend, we must first fill the
upper part of the siphon, into which no air can possibly force its way.
But if we pierce a hole in the upper part of the siphon, the water will
immediately be rent in sunder the air having found a passage. Before
the hole is bored, the liquid in the siphon, resting on the air beneath,
tends to drive it away, but the air having no means of escape does not
allow the water to pass out: when however the air has obtained a passage
through the hole, being unable to sustain the pressure of the water, it
escapes. It is from the same cause that, by means of a siphon, we can
suck wine upwards, though this is contrary to the nature of a liquid;
for, when we have received into the body the air which was in the
siphon, we become fuller than before, and a pressure is exerted on the
air contiguous to us, and
this in turn presses on the
atmosphere at large, until
a void has been produced
at the surface of the wine,
and then the wine undergo
ing pressure itself will pass
into the exhausted space of
the siphon; for there is no
other place into which it
can escape from the pres
sure. It is from this cause
that its unnatural upward
movement arises.
That the water in the
siphon will rest when its surface is spherical and concentric with
that of the earth may be shewn otherwise. It is required to prove
14 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

that a liquid is stationary when its surface is spherical and concentric

with that of the earth. If possible let it not be stationary; it will of
course become so after being moved; let it then have become station
ary. Its surface will now be spherical and concentric with that of
the earth, and it will cut the former surface; for, when the same
liquid has taken two positions, there must be a line of intersection
common to both. Let both surfaces be cut by a plane passing through
the centre of the earth ; the intersections will be the circumferences
of circles concentric with the earth. Let these circumferences be
A B C and F B D, (fig. 1 a.) Join B G ; B G is equal to each of the
lines G F, G A, which is absurd. The liquid will therefore be in equi
librium.

2. Concentric or inclosed Siphon.

*HERE is another kind of siphon called the concentric or
! inclosed diabetes, the prin
ciple of which is the same A.

as that of the bent siphon.

As before, let there be a ves
sel, A B (fig. 2), containing
water. Through its bottom insert a tube, c D,
soldered into the bottom and projecting be
low. Let the aperture c of the siphon ap
proach to the mouth of the vessel A B, and let
another tube, E F, inclose the tube c D, the dis
tance between the tubes being every where
equal, and the mouth of the outer tube being
closed by a plate, E G, a little above the mouth
c. The lower opening of the tube E F must
be so far removed from the bottom of the
vessel as to leave a passage for the water.
These arrangements being completed, if we
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 15

exhaust, by suction through the mouth D, the air in the tube c D, we

shall draw into it the water in the vessel A B, so that it will flow out
through the projection of the siphon until the water is exhausted. For
the air contained between the liquid and the tube E F, being but little,
can pass into the tube c D, and the water can then be drawn after it. And
the water will not cease flowing because of the projection of the siphon
below:—if, indeed, the tube E F were removed, the discharge would cease
on the surface of the water arriving at c, in spite of the projection below;
but when E F is entirely immersed no air can enter the siphon in place of
that drawn off, since the air which enters the vessel takes the place of
the water as it passes out:-the discharge then, will not cease, for the
whole of the outer aperture of the tube, where the water issues forth, is
always lower than the surface of the water in the vessel, and, as one
level can never be attained, all the water is drained off, attraction being
exerted by the deeper column. If we do not choose to draw out the air
in the tube c D by suction, water may be poured into the vessel A B
until, when it has risen above c, a discharge begins through c D. In
this case, again, all the water in the vessel will be drawn out. This
instrument is called, as we said before, the inclosed siphon, or the in
closed diabetes.
It is evident from what has been proved above that as long as the
siphon is stationary the stream through it will be of irregular velo
city, for the result is the same as in a discharge through a hole pierced
in the bottom of a vessel, where the stream is irregular from the
pressure of a greater weight on the discharge at its commencement,
and, of a less, as the contents of the vessel are reduced. In like
manner, in proportion as the excess of the outer leg of the siphon is
greater, the velocity of the stream is greater; for a greater pressure is
exerted on the discharge than when the projection of the outer leg
below the surface of the water in the vessel is less. Therefore we have
said that the discharge through the siphon is always of variable velocity.
But we must contrive a siphon in which the velocity of the discharge
shall be uniform.
16 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

3. Uniform discharge Siphon.

&º ET there be a vessel, A B, (fig. 3.) containing water,
* on which a small basin, c D, floats, having its mouth
covered with the F

º lid c D. Through
--- º, this lid and the
=º) bottom of the ba
sin insert one leg of the siphon sol
dering it into the holes with tin. Let
the other leg be outside the vessel AB,
having its mouth lower than the sur
face of the water in A B. If we draw
the air in the siphon through the
outer extremity, the water will at
once follow because of the impossi
bility of a continuous vacuum in the
siphon; and the siphon, having be
gun to flow, flows on until it has ex
hausted all the water in the vessel:
but the discharge will be uniform,
since the projection of the outer leg
below the surface of the water does not vary; for, as the vessel be
comes empty, the basin sinks with the siphon. The greater the excess
of the outer leg the greater will be the velocity of the discharge, yet
still uniform. In the figure, E F G is the siphon described, and the sur
face of the water is in the line H K.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 17

4. Siphon which is capable of discharging a greater or less quantity

of Liquid with uniformity.

Sº Y the following arrangement we can produce a dis

º'
- - - --

º charge at once uniform and variable; that is, a dis

charge in F.
R.
which, for a
certain time
** at pleasure,
the stream continues uniform
from the beginning, and again,
for any other period, is slower
or quicker than before, but still
uniform with itself. As before,
let A B (fig. 4.) be a vessel of
water, and C D a basin. Into
the lid and bottom of the basin
solder a tube LM wider than
the inner leg of the siphon.
On the lid place a wooden
frame, C N X D, consisting of
two upright pieces and a third
lying across them on the top.
In the inner sides of the up
right pieces let grooves be cut
down their whole length, along which another piece o P is to move freely.
Let R s be a screw, working perpendicularly in the direction of the lid
c D, and passing through a hole in o P: in o P let a pin be so fixed as to
enter the spiral thread of the screw. The screw must project above N x,
and a handle be fastened to its top by which to turn it, and by this means
o P can be raised or lowered. Let the inner leg of the siphon be fixed in
o P, and pass through the tube LM, so that its mouth may dip into the
D
18 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

water in the vessel. Now if, as before, we draw off the liquid through
the outer mouth, the siphon will flow with a uniform stream until the
whole be exhausted. And when it is wished that a quicker stream should
be produced through the siphon, but uniform with itself, let the screw
be turned so as to lower the board o P; for then the excess of the outer
leg is increased, and thus the stream is still of uniform velocity, but
quicker than before. If a still greater velocity is desired, turn the screw
again, so as to lower o P still further; and if a less velocity is sought,
let o P be raised. Thus a discharge is produced through a siphon in
one sense uniform, in another variable.

5. A vessel for withdrawing Air from a Siphon.

the mouth, which is only possible in very small si

phons, the fol
lowing contri
vance may be
- used. Take a
double tube (fig. 5) one part of
which fits into the other, and
attach the smaller part to the
outer leg of the siphon, so that
the discharge may pass through
it. Let T N be the smaller tube,
and Q U the greater, which must
be previously fitted tightly into
a vessel, w Y, containing some
what more water than the siphon
will hold, and having an outlet,
z, at the bottom. When it is
wished to draw off the water in
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 19

A B, close the outlet of w y with the finger, then apply the larger tube
Q U to the smaller, and leave the outlet z free. As the vessel w Y be
comes empty the air in the siphon will pass into the exhausted space,
and the liquid in A B will follow so as to fill the siphon: then remove the
vessel w Y, and let the siphon run.
To act properly the siphon must be perpendicular; and this may be
secured by fixing two straight bars to the lip of the vessel A B, and
placing the inner leg of the siphon between them so as to touch each
of the bars: then fasten a small bar crosswise on each side of the leg of
the siphon, so as to touch the former bars within. Thus, if the smaller
bars touch the larger, the siphon will neither lean sideways nor for
wards, but will hang perpendicularly.

6. A Vessel for retaining or discharging a Liquid at pleasure.

§33. ET us now proceed to construct the necessary instru

% ments, beginning with the less important, as from the
elements. The
) following is a
contrivance of
àº) use in pouring
out wine. A hollow globe of
bronze is provided, such as A B (fig.
6) pierced in the lower part with
numerous small holes like a sieve.
At the top let there be a tube, c D,
the upper extremity of which is
open, communicating with and
soldered into the globe. When it is
desired to pour out wine, with one
hand grasp the tube c D near the
mouth c, and plunge the globe into
20 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

the wine until it is wholly immersed. The wine enters through the
holes, and the air within, being driven out, passes through the tube
c D: and if, pressing the thumb on the aperture c, you lift the globe
out of the wine, the wine contained in the globe will not flow out,
as no air can enter to supply the vacuum, for the only entrance is
through the mouth c, which is closed by the thumb. When, then, we
desire to let the wine flow, we remove the finger, and the air, rushing
in, fills the vacuum produced. If we again press the finger on the
air-hole c, there will be no discharge until we once more remove the
finger from the vent. We may, in like manner, dip the globe into
hot or cold water, and then retain or let out the contents at pleasure,
until all the water within is exhausted. If the extremity c of the tube
CD is bent, the action will be the same, and it is then easier to stop the
orifice with the finger.

7. A Wesselfordischarging Liquidsofdifferenttemperaturesatpleasure.
Y the same means it is possible to discharge from
the same globe
both hot and
coldwaterin any
quantity. The
globe A B (fig.
7) is constructed as before, but fur
nished with a perpendicular parti
tion, CD, dividing it equally. At the
top a tube, H F, soldered into the
globe, communicates with the inte
rior; this tube is also furnished with
a partition, C G, a continuation of the
partition CD, and its openings, H, K,
must curve over in the directions C
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 21

and F. On each side of the partition c D, at the bottom of the globe towards
D, let holes be made like those in a cook's ladle. When it is desired to
draw hot water, take the apertures H and K by the two fingers and plunge
the globe into hot water, and then unclose one of the vents, H, that the
air in the hemisphere B c D may be driven out through H : the hot
water, entering through the holes, will fill the hemisphere B C D : again
stopping the vent H take the globe out of the water, and its contents
will be retained, as the air has no entrance. Then, in like manner,
plunge the globe into cold water, unclosing the vent K, and, when the
hemisphere A c D is filled, close k and draw the globe out. The globe
is now full of hot and cold water, and when it is desired to discharge
either of these, unclose the proper vent: in like manner close it again
when the discharge is sufficient; and this may be repeated till the con
tents are exhausted. In the same way it is possible to draw up into and
discharge from the same vessel wine, and cold or hot water, and any
thing else whatever, at any time, and in any quantity, by making the ne
cessary partitions and orifices through which the air may enter into each
chamber and leave it again. Instead of the curved outlets, holes may
be made in the upper part of the sides of the tube in various directions;
and these holes are of course to be closed when it is required to shut
out the air. That the holes pierced in the bottom of the vessel may not
be seen, both sets may be included in one channel, so that both streams
may appear to flow from the same source.
22 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

8. A Vessel for discharging Liquids in varying proportions.

© JAR can be made receiving and discharging a greater
quantity of liquid at one time than at another, and in
such a way that, when wine
and water are poured into it, it
shall discharge at one time
pure water, at another time
unmixed wine, and, again, a mixture of the two.
Its construction is as follows. Let A B (fig. 8) be
a pitcher having a partition in the middle, CD. In
the partition, near the circumference of the ves
sel, let small holes be pierced in a curve, as at E.
In the opposite side of the partition let there be
a circular aperture, F, through which the tube F G
H is to be inserted, being soldered into the parti
tion, and reaching nearly to the bottom of the ves
sel at G. Let the other mouth of the tube H
issue at the side of the pitcher, under the handle,
and be soldered into the handle which must be
hollow, and have a hole on its outer surface at
K, which may be closed with the finger when
necessary. If, then, closing the vent, as before,
we pour any liquid into the jar, the liquid poured into the upper chamber
will remain there, not being able to continue its way through the nar
row holes into the lower chamber, as there is no other outlet for the
air than through the vent K. When, however, we unclose the vent,
the liquid will descend into the chamber beneath, and then the jar will
hold more. If, then, we first pour in wine so as to fill the chamber B C D,
and then, closing the vent, pour water upon it, the two cannot mix, and
if we invert the jar it will emit pure water. But, when we unclose the
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 23

vent, the water continuing to flow, the wine will flow out also, since air
can enter through K to fill up the void left; and afterwards the wine
will flow out unmixed. We may also pour in the water first, and then,
stopping the vent, pour wine upon it, so as to pour out wine for some,
wine and water for others, and mere water for those whom we wish to
jest with.

9. A JWater Jet produced by mechanically compressed Air.

HOLLOW globe, or other vessel, may be constructed,
into which if any liquid be poured, it will be forced
aloft spontaneously
and with much vio- º
lence, so as to empty sº
the vessel, though
such an upward motion is contrary to
nature. The construction is as follows.
Let there be a globe, containing about
6 cotylae (3 pints), the sides of which
are of metal plate, strong enough to
sustain the pressure that will be exerted
upon them by the air. Let A B (fig.9.)
be the globe, resting on any base c.
Through an aperture in the top of the
globe insert a tube, DE, soldered into the
globe at the aperture, and projecting a
little above it; and reaching to the other -

extremity, except an interval sufficient WNET

-

for the passage of water. At its upper

extremity let the tube D E branch into
two tubes, D G and D F, to which two
(§3
ſ
\ ^++
º

º
\\
CO

other pipes, G H K L, F M N x, are fastened transversely, communicating

with D G, D F. Again, into these transverse pipes, and communicating
24 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

with them, let another pipe, Po, be fitted, from which a small pipe, R s,
projects perpendicularly, communicating with it, and terminating in a
small orifice at s. If, then, we take hold of Rs and turn round the tube
Po, the connection between the corresponding holes will be shut off, so
that the liquid which is to be forced up will have no outlet. Now, through
another aperture in the globe, let another tube, T U Q, be inserted, closed
at the lower extremity Q, and having a hole in the side near the bottom
at w. In this hole must be fixed a valve, such as the Romans call assa
rium, the construction of which we will explain presently. Into the
tube TU Q insert another tube, Y z, fitting tightly. If the tube y z be
drawn out, and water poured into T U Q, it will enter the vessel through
the aperture w, (the valve opening into the interior of the vessel), and
the air will escape through the pipe o P, which communicates, as we have
explained, with the apertures of the pipes G H K L and F M N x. When
the globe is half full of liquid, turn the small tube R s so as to break the
connection between the corresponding apertures: then depress the tube
Y z and drive out the air and liquid collected in TU Q, which will, on the
exertion of some force, (as the vessel is full of air and liquid), pass through
the valve into the hollow of the globe; and this passage is made possi
ble by the compression of the air into the void spaces dispersed among
its particles. Draw up the tube y z, in order again to fill T U Q with
air, and then, depressing it again, we shall force this air into the globe.
By repeating this frequently we shall have a large quantity of air com
pressed into the globe; for it is clear that the air forced in does not
escape again when the rod is drawn up, as the valve, pressed on by the
air within, remains closed. If, then, we restore the pipe R s to its up
right position, and re-open the communication between the correspond
ing apertures at L and x, the liquid will now be forced out, as the con
densed air expands to its original bulk and presses on the liquid beneath;
and if the quantity of condensed air be large, it will drive out all the
liquid, and even the superfluous air will be forced out at the same time.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 25

10. A Valve for a Pump.

ſº º to.
2sº-Gº HE following is the construction of the valve referred
Take two rectangular plates of bronze of the
§ ºSº
-

thickness of a car- HS

-
º
ſº º
penter's rule, and
measuring about
\\
so
ſº º one finger'sbreadth
(; of an inch) on each side. When
these have been accurately fitted to -

each other, polish their surfaces so - lièr

that neither air nor liquid may pass
between them.
(fig. 10) be Let Aand
the plates, B C in
D, the
E F cen-
G H, AL |
Ty F. —J

tre of one of them, A B C D, bore a cir- |

cularhole about} of a finger's breadth
(# of an inch) in diameter. Then, ap-
O
plying the side c D to E F, let the
plates be attached by means of hinges, *
|º

ūF

so that the polished surfaces may come together. When the valve is
to be used, fasten the plate A B C D over the aperture, and any air or
liquid forced through will be effectually confined. For by the pressure
exerted the hinges move, and the plate E F G H opens readily to admit the
air or liquid; which when inclosed in the air-tight vessel, presses on
the plate E F G H, and closes the aperture through which the air was
forced in.
26 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

11. Libations at an Altar produced by Fire.

>geºO construct an altar such that, when a fire is raised on
it, figures at the side shall offer libations. Let there
be a pedestal, A B C D, (fig. 11) on which the figures
stand, and also an altar, E F G, perfectly air-tight. The
pedestal must also be air-tight, and communicate with
- the altar at G. Through the pedestal insert the tube
H K L, reaching nearly
to the bottom at L, and
communicating at H
with a bowl held by -2"></
one of the figures. §§
Pour liquid into the pe
destal through a hole, ſ/
M, which must after- /
wards be closed. Now -

if
thea altar
fire be
E Flighted on
G, the air ºf
anyº

% M ->

within it, being rare- .

fied, will descend into 7 \-k
the pedestal, and exert [ :
pressure on thewhich,
it contains, liquid ſ L.
|
having no other way B =ho
of retreat, will pass through the tube H K L into the bowl. Thus the
figures will pour a libation, and will not cease so long as the fire remains
on the altar. When the fire is extinguished, the libation ceases; and
as often as the fire is kindled the same will be repeated. The pipe
through which the heat is to pass should be broader towards the middle,
for it is requisite that the heat, or rather the vapour from it, passing into
a broader space, should expand and act with greater force.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 27

12. A Vesselfrom which the contents flow when filled to a certain height.
ºſ-SºHERE are some vessels which emit no stream unless
- they are filled; but when filled discharge all the li
quid they contain. They are made as follows: Let
A B cºd (fig. 12) be a vessel open at the top, and through
its bottom pass a tube, either an inclosed diabetes as
E F G, or a bent siphon G H K. When the vessel A B C D
is filled, and the water runs over, a discharge will begin through the
diabetes, and continue till the vessel is empty, if the interior opening
of the diabetes is so near the bottom of the vessel as only to leave
a passage for the water.
28 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

13. Two Wessels from which the contents flow, by a Liquid being
poured into one only.

F two vessels, both of them having visible outlets, stand

upon a pedestal, and one of them be filled with wine,
the other remaining empty, the wine shall not flow out
until the empty vessel be filled with water; and then
a discharge shall begin, of wine from one, and of water
º from the other, until both are empty. Such vessels are
called harmonious
goblets. Let A B C D
(fig. 13) be the pede
stal on which the ves
sels, E and F, stand.
In each of them
place a bent siphon,
G H K in E, and L MN
in F, and letthe outer
extremities of the
siphons be shaped
like water-pipes. At
the bend the siphons
must approach near
ly to the mouths of
the vessels. Let an
E; C
other bent tube, xo
PR, passing through the pedestal, connect the two vessels, the extremi
ties of which, x and R, must reach as high as the bend of the siphons.
Now pour wine into one vessel, taking care that it does not mount higher
than the bend of the siphon at H. Up to this point the wine will not
flow out, as there is nothing to originate a discharge through the siphon.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 29

But if we pour water into the vessel F, until its surface mounts above
the bend of the siphon at M, then the water will descend and pass through
the pipe x o P R into the other vessel. Thus a discharge is occasioned
of the wine also, and both vessels will continue to run the one with wine,
the other with water, until both are emptied.

14. A Bird made to whistle by flowing Water.

poured into them, the note of the black-cap, or a

whistling sound, is produced. The following is their
construction. Let A B C D (fig. 14) be a hollow air
tight pedestal: through the top, A D, let a funnel, E F,
*Wvºsº be introduced and soldered into the surface, its tube
approaching so near to
the bottom as only to
leave a passage for the
water. Let G H K be a
small pipe, such as will
emit sound, communi
cating with the pede
stal and likewise sold
ered into A D. Its
extremity, which is
curved, must dip into
water contained in a
small vessel placed
near at L. If water be
poured in through the
funnel E F, the result C

will be that the air, being driven out, passes through the pipe G H k, and
emits a sound. When the extremity of the pipe dips into water a bub
30 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICs.
bling sound is heard, and the note of the black-cap is produced: if no
water is near, there will be a whistling only.
These sounds are produced through pipes; but the quality of the
sounds will vary as the pipes are more or less fine, or longer, or shorter;
and as a larger or smaller portion of the pipe is immersed in the water:
so that by this means the distinct notes of many birds can be produced.
The figures of several different birds are arranged near a fountain, or
in a cave, or in any place where there is running water: near them sits
an owl, which, apparently of her own accord, turns at one time towards
the birds, and then again away from them; and when the owl looks
away the birds sing, when she looks at them they are mute: and this
may be repeated frequently.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 31

15. Birds made to sing, and be silent alternately by flowing Water.

be a stream perpetually running. Underneath place

an air-tight vessel, B C D E, provided with an inclosed
diabetes or bent siphon F G, and having inserted in it
a funnel, H K, between the extremity of the tube of
which and the bottom of the vessel a passage is left
for the water.
Let the funnel
be provided with
several smaller
pipes, as de
scribed before, at
L. It will be
found that, while :
B C D E is being ſºn & iº i
filled with water, # i \ } |
the air that is # |
driven out will tº-v-
produce the notes U —Jo
of birds; and
as the water is
being drawn off
through the si
phon F G after
the vessel is filled,
the birds will be
mute.

We are now to describe the contrivance by which the owl is enabled

to turn herself towards, or away from, the birds, as we have said. Let
32 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

a rod N x turned in a lathe rest on any support M: round this rod let a
tube o P be fitted, so as to move freely about it, and having attached to
it the kettle-drum top R s, on which the owl is to be securely fixed.
Round the tube o P let a chain pass, the two extremities of which, T U,
Q w, wind off in opposite directions, and are attached, by means of two
pullies, the one, T U, to a weight suspended at Y, and Q w to an empty
vessel z, which lies beneath the siphon or inclosed diabetes F G. It will
be found that while the vessel B c D E is being emptied, the liquid being
carried into the vessel z causes the tube o P to revolve, and the owl with
it, so as to face the birds: but when B C D E is exhausted, the vessel z
becomes empty likewise by means of an inclosed or bent siphon con
tained within it; and then the weight Y, again preponderating, causes
the owl to turn away just at the time when the vessel B c D E is being
filled again and the notes once more issue from the birds.

16. Trumpets sounded by flowing Water.

sº N the same manner as that just described the sound
of trumpets can be produced. Insert into a carefully
Q ſºs 3 closed vessel the tube of a funnel reaching nearly to
the bottom and soldered into the surface of the vessel;
º 2:3 º
and, by its side,a trumpet, provided both with a mouth
§§§ 3)§
2\Siº - º

piece and bell, and communicating at its upper ex

tremity with the vessel. If water be poured through the funnel, it will
be found that the air contained in the vessel, as it is being driven out
through the mouthpiece, will produce the sound of a trumpet.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 33

17. Sounds produced on the opening of a Temple Door.

PHIE sound of a trumpet may be produced on the open
ing of the doors of a temple. The following is the
* construction. Behind the door let there be a vessel,
A B C D (fig. 17), containing water. In this invert a
narrow-necked vessel, shaped like an extinguisher,
F, with which, at its lower extremity, let a trumpet,
H K, communicate, pro
vided with bell and mouth
piece. Parallel with the
tube of the trumpet, and
attached to it, let the rod
L M run, fastened, at the
lower end, to the vessel F,
and having at the other ex
tremity a loop, M: through
this loop let the beam N x
pass, thus supporting the
vessel F, at a sufficient
height above the water.
The beam N x must turn
on the pivot o, and a chain or cord, attached to the extremity x, be
fastened, by means of the pulley, P, to the hinder part of the door.
When the door is opened, the cord will be stretched, and draw upwards
the extremity x of the beam, so that the beam N x no longer supports
the loop M ; and when the loop changes its position in consequence, the
vessel F will descend into the water, and give forth the sound of a
trumpet by the expulsion of the air contained in it through the mouth
piece and bell.
34 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

18. Drinking Horn from which either Wine or Water will flow.

HERE is a kind of drinking horn, such that if wine

be first poured into it, and then water, sometimes the
water flows out un- A
- mixed, and some
*Sº tº times the wine. The
assºs following is the con
struction. Let A B c (fig. 18) be a drink
ing horn, furnished with two partitions,
D E and F G : through both of these let
a tube, H K, pass, soldered into the parti
tions, and pierced with a small hole, L,
situated a little above the partition F G.;
and under the partition D. E. let there be
a vent, M, in the side of the vessel. If,
when these arrangements are complete, we close the passage at C and
pour in wine, it will pass through the vent M ; and, if we cover M with
the finger, the wine in D E F G will be retained. Now, if we pour [water]
into the part A B D E, still closing the vent M, pure water will flow out;
but if, while the water is still in the upper part of the vessel, we unclose
M, a mixture will be discharged; and when all the water has passed out,
the stream will be of pure wine. By frequently unclosing M the dis
charge may be varied : but the better method is first to pour water into
the chamber D E G F, and then, closing the vent, to pour wine upon it.
The result will be that sometimes pure water flows out, and again, when
the siphon is set free, a mixture; presently, on stopping the vent, pure
wine. And this can be done as often as we please.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 35

19. A Vessel containing a Liquid of uniform height, although a

Stream flows from it.

a F a goblet be placed upon a pedestal, whatever quan

tity may be drawn from it, it shall always continue
full. The con
struction is as
º). follows. Let AB
-

sº (fig. 19) be a
vessel, the mouth of which is closed
just at the neck, by the partition
C D. Through c D let a tube, E F,
be inserted, reaching nearly to the
bottom; let another tube, G H, be
passed through the bottom of the
vessel, reaching nearly up to the
partition C D ; and in the bottom
bore a hole, K, to admit the small
N
tube K L. The vessel A B must
stand upon a pedestal, M N ox, through which passes the projection of
the tube GH, and another tube s T communicating with the pedestal and
the goblet P R. Now let wine be poured through E F into A B (the air
will pass out through G H), and, if the tube K L be left open, it will pass
through into the pedestal and the goblet P R : but, if K L be closed, the
vessel A B will be filled. Let, then, the wine run into the pedestal M N
o x and the goblet P R, so that M N ox may be filled as high as the
mouth of the tube G. H. When this is done, close E, and the wine in A B
will no longer [flow] through K L, for no more air can enter through E to
supply the vacuum created. When, therefore, any wine is taken from
the goblet, the orifice E must be unclosed, and, the air having found an
entrance, the wine will flow again into the pedestal and goblet, until it
36 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

is full. And this may be done as often as we draw off wine from the
goblet. It will be requisite that a small hole be pierced in the side of
the pedestal at U, that an equivalent bulk of air may pass into the vessel
A B through the orifice G and the hole U.

20. A Vessel which remains full, although Water be drawn from it.
5 &º * Fit is desired to adapt this contrivance for use, so that
from a goblet occupying any given position a consid
erable quantity of water may be drawn and yet the
goblet remain full, proceed as follows. Let A B (fig. 20)
be a vessel containing as much water as will probably
be required, and C D a pipe leading from this into a
trough beneath, G. H. Near
the pipe fix a lever beam,
E F, and at the extremity E
suspend a piece of cork, k, so
that it mayfloatin the trough;
at the other extremity Flet
a chain be fastened furnished
with a leaden weight, x. Let
the whole be so arranged
that the cork, floating on the
water in G. H., closes the
mouth of the pipe; yet that, when water has been drawn from the trough,
the cork, being heavier than the weight at x, shall sink and open the
pipe, so that the water may flow in again and raise the cork. Let LM
be the goblet placed in any convenient position, its lip being on a level
with the surface of the water in the trough when there is no discharge
from the pipe owing to the floating cork: and let the tube HN lead from
the trough into the bottom of the goblet. Now if, when the goblet is
full, we draw water from it, we shall at the same time reduce the water
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 37

in the trough; and the cork sinking will unclose the pipe, so that the
water, flowing both into the trough and the goblet, will again raise the
cork, and the discharge will cease. And this will happen as often as
we remove water from the goblet.

21. Sacrificial Vessel which flows only when Money is introduced.

rº, F into certain sacrificial vessels a coin of five drachms
be thrown, water shall flow out and surround them.
Let A B C D (fig. 21)
be a sacrificial vessel
or treasure chest,
having an opening in
its mouth, A.; and in the chest let there
be a vessel, F G H K, containing water,
and a small box, L, from which a pipe,
LM, conducts out of the chest. Near
the vessel place a vertical rod, Nx, about
which turns a lever, o P, widening at o
into the plate R parallel to the bottom
of the vessel, while at the extremity P
is suspended a lid, s, which fits into the
box L., so that no water can flow through
the tube LM : this lid, however, must be
heavier than the plate R, but lighter
than the plate and coin combined. When
the coin is thrown through the mouth A, it will fall upon the plate R
and, preponderating, it will turn the beam o P, and raise the lid of the
box so that the water will flow: but if the coin falls off, the lid will de
scend and close the box so that the discharge ceases.
38 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

22. A Vessel from which a variety of Liquids may be made to flow

through one Pipe.
* EVERAL kinds of liquid having been poured into a
2) vessel through one mouth, it is required that through
the same pipe they
shall flow out sepa
rately at pleasure.
-º-º-º- Let A B (fig. 22) be a
vessel closed at the neck by the parti
tion C D ; and let there be in it seve
ral vertical partitions, extending to
the partition CD and making as many
chambers as we wish to pour in liquids.
Suppose, for the present, that these are
two in number, and let the partition be
E. F. In the partition C D pierce fine
holes, as in a sieve, opening into each
chamber, and air holes, G, H, close to
the partition, also opening into the
chambers: again, at the bottom let there be small tubes, K, L, commu
nicating with the chambers and opening into the common pipe M. If,
having first closed the vents G, H, and the pipe M, we pour one of the
liquids through the mouth of the vessel, it will enter into neither chamber,
as the air has no means of escape: but if one of the vents be opened,
the liquid will pass into that chamber to which the vent belongs; and
if, after closing this vent again, we pour in the other liquid and set free
the other vent, the liquid will pass into the other chamber. Now let
all the vents and the sieve-like holes be closed, and, on opening the pipe
M, no discharge can take place until one of the vents be opened; when,
the air having found an entrance, the liquid contained in that chamber
will flow out. If this vent be closed and the other opened, the same re
sult will follow.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 39

23. A Flow of Wine from one Vessel, produced by Water being

poured into another.

º, F of two vessels standing on a pedestal one be full of

wine and the other empty, whatever quantity of water
be poured into the empty vessel, as much wine shall
flow from the other. The following is the construc
tion. On any pedestal, A B (fig. 23) let there be two
vessels, c D, E F, having their mouths closed by the
partitions G H, K L. Let
the tube M N x o pass
through the pedestal and
bend upwards into the
vessels, reaching very
nearly to the partitions
at M and o. In E F place
a bent siphon, P R s, the
bend being near the ves
sel's mouth, and one leg,
shaped like a water-pipe,
passing outside. Through
the partition G H let a fun
nel, T U, descend almost
to the bottom of the vessel,
its tube being soldered - — —

into the partition. Into | º,

the vessel E F pour wine

through a hole, Q, which must afterwards be carefully closed again.
Now, if we pour water into the vessel c D through the funnel, the con
tained air will be forced out, and pass through the tube M N x o into E F,
and, in its turn, force out the wine contained in E F : and this will happen
40 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

as often as we pour in the water. It is evident that the air forced out
has an equal bulk with the water poured in, and that it will force out
as much wine. If no bent siphon be used, but merely a pipe at s, the
effect will be the same, unless the force of the water be too great for the
pipe.

24. A Pipe from which flows Wine and Water in varying proportions.
$º ET there be an empty vessel, and another containing
*** wine: whatever quantity of water we pour into the
empty vessel, the same quantity of wine and water
mixed may be drawn off through a pipe in any pro
5, portion we please; such, for instance, that there may
º be two parts of water to one of wine. Let A B (fig
24) be an empty vessel, either a cylinder or a rectangular parallelo
piped : by the side of this, and on the same base, place another
vessel, c D, perfectly
air-tight, and, like
A B, either a cylinder
or a rectangular pa
rallelopiped; but the
base of A B must be
twice as great as that
of c D, as the water a
is to be the double
of the wine. Near
c D place another
air-tight vessel, E F, into which the wine is to be poured; and between
the vessels c D, E F, let a tube run, G H K, perforating and soldered into
their coverings. In E Flet there be a bent siphon, LM N, the inner leg
of which must reach almost to the bottom of the vessel, leaving only a
passage for the water, and the other, being bent within the vessel, lead
into the next vessel, ox. From this vessel let the tube P R lead through
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 41

all the vessels, or be carried under the pedestal on which they stand, that
it may readily pass near the bottom of the vessel A. B. Let another
tube, T s, connect the vessels A B, c D, and near the bottom of A B place
a small pipe, U, which with P R must be included in a larger pipe, Q w,
provided with a cock by means of which it may be opened or shut
at pleasure. When these preparations have been made, close the pipe
Q w, and pour water into the vessel A B ; a part, viz. one half, will
pass into c D, through the tube s T, and the water which falls into c D
will force out a mass of air equal to itself through G H K into the vessel
E F ; in like manner this air will force an equal quantity of wine into
the vessel ox through L. M. N. Now, if we open the pipe Q w, the water
poured into the vessel A B and the wine carried out of ox through the
tube P R will flow through it together: and thus what was proposed will
be done. The vessels will be empty again when, the mixed liquid
having been all discharged, the air enters them through the tube P R.

25. A Vessel from which Wine flows in proportion as Water is

withdrawn. -

it provided
with a key or
} cock, and let
- a figure float
§: -ſºº on the surface
of the water; then if water, in
any quantity, be drawn off
through the pipe, wine shall flow
from the figure in any given
ratio to the water drawn off.
Let A B (fig. 25) be the vessel of
water, provided with a pipe, c,
which admits of being closed;
42 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

and on the surface of the water let a basin, D, float, in which is a perpen
dicular tube, E F, carved in the shape of some animal. Place near ano
ther vessel, G H, containing wine, in which is a bent siphon, K LM, one
leg being within the vessel G H, and the other without, conducting into
the tube E. F. Now if we draw the wine through the lower mouth M, it
will flow into the tube E F until the surface of the wine in the vessel G H
and in the tube E F shall be at the same level. Let that level be in the
line N x o P; and at the point P fix an open pipe, R. Hitherto there is
no discharge of wine, but, if any quantity of water is drawn off through
c, the basin D, and, with it, the tube E F will sink, and the surface of
the wine [in the tube] will become lower than the surface N x ; so that,
the outer leg of the siphon being depressed, the wine will again pass on
into the tube E F and run out through the pipe R. This will happen as
often as we draw off water through the pipe c, the wine flowing in a
fixed ratio to the water drawn off. The base of the vessel A B must bear
the required proportion to the base of G H ; and thus what was proposed
is done.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 43

26. A Vessel from which Wine flows in proportion as Water is

poured into another.
tº F it is required that the wine shall flow in a certain
ratio to the water we pour into the vessel, we must
proceed as follows. As before let A B (fig. 26) be the
vessel containing water, and G H that which contains
wine, but let the tube E F be outside the vessel A. B.
In A B let a ball, D, float, from which a cord, passing
over a pulley,tube
tached .. s, is Eat-F Tº o
=fºr-7. Yis
9)TTUC) S o
->

so as to suspend it;
and let all else cor
respond with what
was stated in the last
paragraph. The re
sult will be that, when
water is poured into
the vessel A B, the ball /*

Drising will lower the /

tube E F, and the wine |
will flow again. This
may be effected in a different manner by attaching the cord from the
ball D, across a third pulley, c, to another pulley, s, and across that again
to the siphon K L. It will be found now that, when the ball rises, the
siphon K LM, being suspended by the cord, is lowered, so that, the outer
leg having again become the longer, the wine will flow through the
mouth M.
44 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

27. The Fire-Engine.

HE siphons used in conflagrations are made as follows.

|
Take two vessels of bronze, A B C D, E F G H, (fig. 27),
º)||G: having the inner surface bored in a lathe to fit a pis
º ton, (like the barrels of water-organs), K L, M N being
the pistons fitted to the boxes. Let the cylinders com
=º
municate with each other by means of the tube x o D F,
and be provided with
valves, P, R, such as
have been explained
above, within the tube
x o D F and opening
outwards from the
cylinders. In the
bases of the cylinders
pierce circular aper
tures, s, T, covered
with polished hemi
spherical cups, v Q, w -_-
=-_ Z,
Y, through which in =
- -

sert spindles soldered

to, or in some way -

connected with, the

bases of the cylinders,
J º–
- -

and provided with shoulders at the extremities that the cups may not
be forced off the spindles. To the centre of the pistons fasten the ver
tical rods s E, s E, and attach to these the beam A' A', working, at its
centre, about the stationary pin D, and about the pins B, c, at the rods
s E, s E. Let the vertical tube s' E' communicate with the tube x o D F,
branching into two arms at s', and provided with small pipes through
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 45

which to force up water, such as were explained above in the description

of the machine for producing a water-jet by means of the compressed
air. Now, if the cylinders, provided with these additions, be plunged
into a vessel containing water, I J U z, and the beam A' A' be made to
work at its extremities A, A', which move alternately about the pin D,
the pistons, as they descend, will drive out the water through the tube
E’s' and the revolving mouth M'. For when the piston M N ascends it
opens the aperture T, as the cup w y rises, and shuts the valve R ; but
when it descends it shuts T and opens R, through which the water is
driven and forced upwards. The action of the other piston, K L, is the
same. Now the small pipe M', which waves backward and forward,
ejects the water to the required height but not in the required direction,
unless the whole machine be turned round; which on urgent occasions
is a tedious and difficult process. In order, therefore, that the water
may be ejected to the spot required, let the tube E's consist of two tubes,
fitting closely together lengthwise, of which one must be attached to the
tube x o D F, and the other to the part from which the arms branch off at
s'; and thus, if the upper tube be turned round, by the inclination of
the mouthpiece M' the stream of water can be forced to any spot we
please. The upper joint of the double tube must be secured to the lower,
to prevent its being forced from the machine by the violence of the
water. This may be effected by holdfasts in the shape of the letter L,
soldered to the upper tube, and sliding on a ring which encircles the
lower.
46 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

28. An Automaton which drinks at certain times only, on a Liquid

being presented to it.
N any place provided with running water make a figure
of some animal in bronze or any other material: when
a cup is offered to
it, the animal shall
* drink with a loud
*SºTº noise so as to pre
sent the appearance of thirst. The
following is the construction. A B
(fig. 28) is a vessel into which a
stream of running water, c, falls. In
A B place a bent siphon or inclosed
diabetes, D E F, one leg of which
must project below the bottom of the
vessel. Underneath this let there be
an air-tight pedestal, G H K L, also
containing a bent siphon, M N x. Be
low the orifice F place a funnel, o P, º

the tube of which must descend into |\\

the pedestal leaving a passage for the water between its extremity and
the bottom. Let the mouth of the animal be at R, from which a con
cealed tube, R s T, must run along one of the feet, or some other part,
into the pedestal. When the vessel A B is filled, the water will overflow
and run into the funnel, filling the pedestal G H K L and emptying the
vessel A B ; in like manner, when the pedestal is full, the water will
overflow through the siphon M N x and empty the pedestal; and, as this
becomes empty, the air will enter through the mouth R to fill up the
void that is left. If, then, we apply a drinking vessel at R, the liquid will
be violently attracted and sucked down instead of the air, until the
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 47

pedestal within has become empty. Then the vessel A B is again filled
and emptied, and the same will take place as before. In order that the
cup may be applied at the right time, that is, when the water is being
drawn off from the pedestal, let something be contrived that will move
when struck by water from the discharge through the siphon M N x.
When this is seen to move, apply the drinking cup.

29. An Automaton which may be made to drink at any time, on a

Liquid being presented to it.

water, the animal may be made to drink on the revo

lution of a carved figure of Pan. Let A B C D (fig. 29)
be a pedestal, air-tight on every side, and divided
into two chambers by a partition. On the surface
Wºº place the animal, and let the tube EFG pass through its
mouth. Within the
pedestal,in the lower
chamber, let there
be a bent siphon,
H K L, the lower
leg projecting from
the bottom: and let
a funnel, M. N, pass
through the middle
of the partition, its # \

tubereaching nearly : \
to the bottom. On #
the pedestal A B C D *------------> --------*---,

place another pede

stal, o x, on which
the figure of Pan, C
48 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

P R, is to stand, having attached to it the rod s which projects below into

the pedestal. To slet the tube T U be fastened, at the end of which is
the cup U Q, attached to and communicating with the tube. Let the tube
be of such a length that, when the figure P R turns round, the cup U Q will
be directly above the funnel M. N. On the pedestal, and communicating
with it, and directly above the funnel M N, place the cup w Y. Let the
stream z, (which must be greater than the discharge through the siphon
H K L), flow into w y : the liquid will pass through M N into the lower part
of the pedestal, the contained air passing out through E P G : and now the
pedestal will continue full as the influx is greater than the discharge.
But, when we turn the figure P R round, the cup U Q will intercept the
stream z, which will pass elsewhere through the tube T U, and, as the
water no longer flows into the lower chamber of the pedestal, the siphon
H K L will empty it, and the air will enter through E F G. Thus, when
the cup is applied, the animal will drink as before.

30. An Automaton which will drink any quantity that may be

presented to it.

running wa
ter, or of any
thing to move
the figure of
=** Pan. Let A B A
c D (fig. 30) be a pedestal, and
E the mouth of the animal,
through the breast and hinder
foot or tail of which a tube, E F
G, is inserted, leading from the
mouth E to the interior of the
pedestal. The pedestal having By c
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 49

been first firmly fixed, let a hole, E, so fine as to be scarcely discernible,

be bored in the tube E F G which passes through the animal, in a line
with the extremity G. Now if we fill the siphon E F G with water through
some pipe above it, the mouth of which is applied to E, the siphon will
continue full since its two orifices lie in the same level. If, therefore, a
drinking vessel be brought to the mouth E, and a portion of the mouth
immersed in it, it will be found that the leg of the siphon towards G has
become the longer, so that it will attract the water, and the water at
tracted is carried into the pedestal A B C D. In this construction it is not
necessary that A B C D should be air-tight.

31. A Wheel in a Temple, which, on being turned, liberates purifying

Water.

asº N the porticoes of Egyptian temples revolving wheels

of bronze are placed for those who enter to turn round,
from an opini
º, on that bronze
| purifies. There

the worshippers may sprinkle

themselves. Let it then be re
quired so to construct a wheel
that, on turning it round, water
shall flow from it to sprinkle the
worshippers as we have described.
Behind the entrance-pillar let a
vessel of water, A B C D (fig 31),
be concealed, having a hole, E,
perforated in its base. Under
meath the base let a small tube, F G H K, be fastened, having also a hole
bored opposite the orifice in the base, and within this place another
H
50
r
A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

tube, LM, soldered to the tube F G H K at L, and opposite the orifice

having in like manner a hole, s: between these two pipes let another
pipe, N x o R, be closely fitted, with a hole at P opposite to E. Now, if
the several holes are in one line, when water is poured into the vessel
A B C D it will flow out through the pipe L M ; but, if the pipe N x o R is
made to revolve so as to change the position of the hole P, the discharge
will cease. Attach the wheel to the pipe N x o R, and, if it is repeatedly
made to revolve, water will flow out.

32. A Vessel containing different Wines, any one of which may be

liberated by placing a certain Weight in a Cup.
Sº F several kinds of wine be poured into a vessel by
its mouth, any one of them at choice may be drawn
out through Q

º§ the same pipe:

so that, if se- w
E/~#-F#->\"
veral persons A §§ Iy

have poured in the several wines, /3/d |Wyº An

each one may receive his own f
|
| \
-

according to the proportion

-

| x |
s x O O O
poured in by him. Let A B C D | }} t

- - I | ſ l

(fig 32), be an air-tight vessel,

- -
----|--|,l
. **,
| |
the neck of which is closed by a 9 &n|-N/
- - -
N Hijº Lſ tºy/d
zººſ
r|N
partition, E F ; and let the whole SS-H LC r

vessel be divided into as many y SEC T-2

- vº -- -º--e----

compartments as we intend there H

shall be different kinds of wine. "YK

Suppose, for instance, that c H,

K L, are the partitions, making three compartments, M, N, and x, into
which the wine will be poured. In the partition E F pierce small holes,
one in each compartment, o, P, R.; and from these holes let small tubes,
Ps, o T, R U, communicating with the vessel, extend up into the neck.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 51

Perforate the partition E F, near each tube, with fine sieve-like holes,
through which the liquid will pass into the compartments. When it is
desired to pour in each kind of wine, place the fingers on s, T, and U, and
pour in the wine through the neck Q ; it will not pass into either of the
compartments as the air contained in them has no outlet. But, if we
set free one of the vents s, T, or U, the air contained in the corresponding
compartment will pass out through the passage as the wine falls into the
compartment. Then, placing the finger again on this vent, set another
free in like manner, and pour in another kind of wine: and so in order
with the rest, as many as there may be both of compartments and kinds
of wine. We may procure each wine, in its due quantity, through the
same pipe in the following manner. In the base of the vessel A B C D
let there be tubes leading from each compartment, w y from M, z A’
from N, and B' c' from x: the extremities of these tubes Y, A' and c',
must communicate with another tube y A' c', into which another tube,
E'F', is tightly fitted, closed at the interior extremity F', and having
holes pierced in it opposite to Y, A,' and c' so that, as the tube E' F' re
volves, when the holes pierced in it coincide consecutively with the
holes Y, A', and c', they may admit the wine contained in each chamber
and send it forth through the outer mouth of the tube E' F'. To the
tube E' F' attach an iron rod, G'H'; to this, at the extremity H', solder a
mass of lead, K', and at G' an iron pin, L'M', to the middle of which is
fastened a cup, L, with the concavity upwards: let the interior of this be
a hollow truncated cone of which M' is the larger circle and N' the less,
and through this the pin L'M' is to pass. Take several balls of lead,
varying in weight, and equal in number to the compartments M, N, x;
and if we place the least of the balls in the cup M'N', it will descend
by its weight until it touches the hollow surface of the truncated cone,
causing the tube E’ F’ to revolve until the hole in it coincides with Y and
admits the wine in the compartment M, which will flow as long as the
ball remains in the cup, unless it be entirely exhausted: when we re
move the ball the weight K' will turn back and close the orifice Y, and
the discharge will cease. Again, insert another of the balls, and the
52 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

cup will descend lower and turn the tube E' F' further round until the
hole in it reaches the hole A', and then the wine in N will flow : as be
fore when the ball is removed the weight K' will run down and close
the orifice A', and the wine will cease to flow. If another ball still
heavier be placed in the cup, the tube E' F' will be turned still further
round, so that the wine in the compartment x will flow. It is necessary
however that the least of the balls when placed in the cup should pre
ponderate over the weight K', or, in other words, be able to cause E' F'
to revolve; for then the other balls will preponderate and move E' F'.

33. A self-trimming Lamp.

º,%2 be a lamp through the mouth of which is inserted an

º . ſº Tº

º §% iron bar, D E, capable of sliding freely about the point

E, and let the wick be wound loosely about the bar.
Place near a toothed wheel F, moving freely about
an axis, its teeth in contact with the iron bar, that,
as the wheel revolves,
the wick may bepushed
on by means of the
teeth. Let the opening
for the oil be of con
siderable width, and
when the oil is poured
in let a small basin float
upon it, G, to which is
attached a perpendicu
lar toothed bar, H, the
teeth of which fit into
the teeth of the wheel.
It will be found that, as
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 53

the oil is consumed, the basin sinks and causes the wheel F to revolve by
means of the teeth of the bar, and thus the wick is pushed on.

34. A Vessel from which Liquid may be made to flow, on any

portion of Water being poured into it.

, F into a vessel, provided at the bottom with an open

spout, liquid is poured, the spout shall sometimes run
from the first, some
times when the vessel
is half filled, and some
times not until the
whole is filled: in fine, when any proposed
quantity of liquid has been poured in,
the spout shall run until all is exhausted.
Let A B (fig. 34), be the vessel, the neck
of which is closed: insert the tube c D,
air-tight, through the partition, and let
it reach to the bottom of the vessel leaving
only a passage for the water. Let E f G
be a bent siphon, the inner leg of which
extends nearly to the bottom of the vessel,
while the other projects without, being
fashioned in the shape of a water-spout :
the curve of the siphon must be close to
the neck of the vessel. In A B make an
air-hole, H, near the partition and leading
into the body of the vessel. If we intend the spout to run immediately
on the entrance of the liquid, we must place the finger on the vent H, and
the spout will run, for as the air in the vessel has no way of retreat, the
liquid will rush out through the bent siphon. If we do not close H, the
liquid will pass into the body of the vessel, and the spout cannot run
54 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

until we again close the vent: and then, if we set the vent free, the
siphon will exhaust all the liquid.

35. A Vessel which will hold a certain quantity of Liquid when the
supply is continuous, will only receive a portion of such Liquid if
the supply is intermittent.

any liquid, admits it, but, if you once cease pouring,

holds no more: the construction is in this manner.
Let A B (fig. 35), be a vessel, the neck of which is
closed by the partition c D. Through the partition
- insert the tube E F, reaching nearly to the bottom,
and projecting above the par
tition so as almost to reach
the brim of the vessel; and
let this tube be encircled by
another G H, the top of which
is closed by a lid, at a suffi
cient interval from the parti
tion and the tube E F to admit
of the passage of water: in
A B make an air-hole, k, lead
ing into the body of the vessel.
Now, if we pour liquid into
the vessel's neck, it will be
found that it will pass into
the body through the tubes
G H and E F, the air retreat
ing through the vent K. But,
if we cease pouring, and the neck of the vessel becomes empty, the air
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 55

will break the continuity, so that any liquid in G H will flow down and
fall upon the partition; for the breadth about the tube G H should be
considerable, that the water may fall by its own weight. If more
liquid be poured in, the air confined in the tubes E F and G H will
not allow it to pass through, so that it will run over the brim of the
vessel.

36. A Satyr pouring Water from a Wine-skin into a full Washing

Basin, without making the contents overflow.

ing in his hands a wine-skin: place near a washing

basin, and into this let some liquid be poured until
it is full; water shall be made to flow into the ba
sin without running over, until all the water in the
- º, skin is exhausted. The following is the construc
tion. Let A B (fig.
36), be a perfectly air
tight pedestal, either
cylindrical or octago
mal in shape, as may
seem more elegant,
and divided into two
chambers by the par
tition c D, through
which the tube E F,
fitting closely into the
partition, extends up
wards nearly to the
roof of the pedestal.
Through the roof in
sert the tube G. H., pro
56
r
A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

jecting slightly above the vessel, and lying exactly under the basin,
while, below, it reaches to the bottom except that room must be left for
the passage of water: this tube must be soldered into the roof of the
pedestal and the partition. Another tube, K LM, must also be inserted
through the roof, reaching not quite so low as the partition, soldered
into the roof and carrying its stream into the basin, which lies above the
tube G H and communicates with it. Now let the vessel A D be filled with
water through an orifice N, which must be afterwards closed. If water is
poured into the basin, it will pass through the tube G H into the vessel B c;
and the air in B c, passing through the tube E F and into the vessel A D,
will force the liquid in A D through K LM into the basin; and this being
carried again into B c will force out the contained air as before, which,
again, will force the water in the vessel A D into the basin: and this
will go on until the water in A D is exhausted. The tube K LM must
pass through the mouth of the skin and be particularly fine, that the
display may last a considerable time.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 57

37. Temple Doors opened by Fire on an Altar.

HE construction of a small temple such that, on light

ing a fire, the doors shall open spontaneously, and
shut again when the fire is extinguished. Let the
proposed temple stand on a pedestal, A B C D (fig. 37),
on which lies a small altar, E D. Through the altar
- insert a tube, F G, of which the mouth F is within the
altar, and the mouth G is contained in a globe, H, reaching nearly to its

†HHHHHHHHH.
L

§:
f

p.
(

º
S D
58 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

centre: the tube must be soldered into the globe, in which a bent siphon,
K LM, is placed. Let the hinges of the doors be extended downwards
and turn freely on pivots in the base A B C D; and from the hinges let
two chains, running into one, be attached, by means of a pulley, to a hollow
vessel, Nx, which is suspended; while other chains, wound upon the hinges
in an opposite direction to the former, and running into one, are attached,
by means of a pulley, to a leaden weight, on the descent of which the
doors will be shut. Let the outer leg of the siphon K LM lead into the
suspended vessel; and through a hole, P, which must be carefully closed
afterwards, pour water into the globe enough to fill one half of it. It will
be found that, when the fire has grown hot, the air in the altar becoming
heated expands into a larger space; and, passing through the tube F G
into the globe, it will drive out the liquid contained there through the
siphon K LM into the suspended vessel, which, descending with its
weight, will tighten the chains and open the doors. Again, when the
fire is extinguished, the rarefied air will escape through the pores in the
side of the globe, and the bent siphon, (the extremity of which will be
immersed in the water in the suspended vessel) will draw up the liquid
in the vessel in order to fill up the void left by the particles removed.
When the vessel is lightened the weight suspended will preponderate
and shut the doors. Some in place of water use quicksilver, as it is
heavier than water and is easily disunited by fire.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 59

38. Other intermediate means of opening Temple Doors by Fire

on an Altar.

HERE is another way in which, on lighting a fire, the

%2 doors will open. As before, let a small temple stand
%, upon a base, A B C D (fig. 38), on which is an altar,
§§ E. Let a tube, F G H, pass through the altar and be
attached to a leathern bag, K, perfectly air-tight: be
- neath this let a small weight, L, hang, from which a
chain is attached across a pulley to the chains round the hinges, so that,

(
<!! -

=}

H==

ſ
60 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

when the bag is folded together, the weight L preponderates and shuts
the doors, and when fire is placed on the altar they are opened. For,
as before, the air in the altar growing hot, and expanding, will pass
through the tube F G H into the bag, and raise it up with the weight L.;
and then the doors will be opened. The doors will either open of them
selves, as the doors of baths shut spontaneously, or they may have a
counterbalancing weight to open them. When the sacrifice is extin
guished, and the air which has entered the bag passes out, the weight,
descending with the bag, will tighten the chains and close the doors.

39. Wine flowing from a Vessel may be arrested on the Introduction

of Water, but, when the Supply
of Water ceases, the Wine flows
again.
£ºf there be a
vessel contain
º'Cº. ing wine, and
º provided with
§ ($ º three spouts,
*Sº wine shall flow
through the middle of the three;
and, when water is poured in,
the stream of wine shall cease,
and water shall flow through
the other two ; again, when the
stream of water ceases, wine shall
flow through the middle spout:
and this shall take place as often
as we pour in water. Let A B
(fig. 39), be a vessel, the neck of
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. (31

which is closed by the partition c D, and having a spout, E, at the bot

tom. Let two tubes, F G H, K LM, terminating in spouts, pass through
the partition and project above it; and round the projecting parts place
other tubes, N, x, covered with lids at the top and extending to the
partition except a passage for the water. Another tube, P, reaching
nearly up to the partition, communicates with F. G. H. Having first
closed the spout E, fill the vessel A B with wine through an orifice, Q,
which must be carefully closed afterwards. When E is set free it will
be found that wine flows through it, for air enters from without into the
void created, through the orifice H and the tube P. Now, if we pour
water upon the partition c D, it will be carried out through the tubes
F G H, K L M ; but, as the air has no means of entering the vessel, A B,
the wine will cease to flow until all the water has escaped, when the air
finds an entrance again and the wine flows. Instead of the tube P,
another tube, R s, may be used, piercing through the partition, about
which another, T U, must lie, like the tubes N and x, but higher than
those, so that R s may rise above the lip of the vessel. The same result
will follow.
62 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

40. On an Apple being lifted, Hercules shoots a Dragon

which then hisses.

SN) pent or dragon is coiled; a figure of Hercules stands

near shooting from a bow, and an apple lies upon
the pedestal: if any one raises, with the hand, the
º-T- apple a little from the pedestal, the Hercules shall
Sºsſº discharge his arrow at the serpent and the serpent
hiss. Let A B (fig. 40) be the proposed pedestal, air-tight and divided
by a partition, c D.
Fixed in the partition Q
is a hollow truncated I,

cone, E F, the lesser cir- T R -

cle of which, F, is open *{ /.

and approaches to the 27A WP

bottom of the pedestal, |

Ix
leaving a sufficient in- A
terval for the passage ! :
of water. To this come Hºf----- --------- §9
H---

must be tightly fitted /

another cone H, at- /

tached by means of a / —l

chain through a hole / \\ }}

# --

\
/
\
in the surface, to the / \},
- z \

apple K, which lies on / \

the pedestal. Let the / \

Hercules hold a small B

bow of horn, the string of which is stretched, and at the proper distance
from the hand. In the right hand, and directed towards the serpent,
let there be a hand in every respect similar to the visible hand, but
smaller, and holding the trigger. From the extremity of the trigger
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 63

let a chain, or cord, proceed through the pedestal and be attached to a

pulley, which is placed above the partition, and again to the chain which
is connected with the cone and apple. Now we must draw the bow,
and placing the trigger beneath the hand, close it so that the cord is
stretched and draws the apple tightly downwards: the cord must
run inside the Hercules and through the body and hand. From the
partition let a small tube, one of those which are used to whistle, ex
tend above the pedestal and pass under the tree or along its trunk.
Then fill the vessel A D with water. Let L M be the tree, N x the bow, s
P the string, R s the hand that grasps the bow, T U the trigger, Q w the
cord, w the pulley round which the cord runs, and Y z the whistling
pipe. Now if some one raise the apple K, he will at the same time raise
the cone H, tighten the cord Q w, and draw back the hand, so that the
arrow is discharged: and the water in A D, being carried into B c, will
drive out the air contained in B C through the pipe, and produce the
hissing sound. When the apple is replaced, the cone H fitting again
into the other, will stop the stream of water so that no sound is pro
duced. We must now re-arrange the arrow and leave it. If the vessel
B C is full, it can be emptied again by means of a spout with a key: A D
must be filled as before.
64 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

41. A Vessel from which uniform Quantities only of Liquid

can be poured.

dicaeometer, which, having been filled with liquid,

discharges an equal quan
tity every time it is in
verted. Let A B (fig.
41), be a vessel the neck
of which is closed by the partition A B : near
its bottom let there be a small globe, c,
holding the measure of water we intend
to flow out. Through the partition insert
a small and very fine tube, D E, communi
l
cating with the globe. In the lower part |
|
of the globe perforate a small hole, F, from |
l

which a pipe, F G, extends upwards, running |

|
|
just beneath, and communicating with, the l

E.
handle of the vessel which is hollow. Near
the hole just mentioned make another at L
towards the body of the vessel: the handle
also must have a vent at H. Having first
stopped the vent H we must fill the vessel
with liquid through a hole which must
afterwards be carefully closed, or the vessel
may even be filled through the tube D E
itself, a fine hole, however, being made in
the body of the vessel through which the air can be driven out; and
the globe c will be filled with liquid at the same time through the tube
D E. Now, if we invert the vessel and set the vent H free, the liquid in
the globe c and the tube D E will flow out. If we again close the vent
and restore the vessel to its original position, the globe and tube will
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 65

be filled again, for the air they contain will be driven out by the liquid
rushing in ; and, when the vessel is once more inverted, a like quantity
of liquid will again flow out, except indeed with some difference as to
the tube D E, for it will not be always filled, but as the vessel grows
empty it will be empty itself: this difference however is extremely small.

42. A Water-Jet actuated by compressed Air from the Lungs.

! blowing into them. Through the neck of the vessel

(fig. 42), a tube is
inserted, reach
ing nearly to the
- bottom, and sol
dered in at its mouth. Stop this
mouth with the finger, and pour in
some liquid through a hole: then,
having blowninto the vesselthrough
the same hole, close it by means
of a key, and set free the mouth
of the tube; the liquid will be made
to spout up through the orifice by
the compressed air which was
blown in.
66 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

43. Notes from a Bird produced at intervals by an intermittent

Stream of Water.

! Take an air-tight vessel (fig. 43), through which a

funnel is inserted, the tube being far enough from the
bottom of the vessel to allow of the passage of water.
Above the funnel is placed a hollow vessel, turning

water is continually carried. So

long as the vessel on the pivots ^ :
is empty it will be found to re- º
main upright, for a weight is at
tached to its bottom ; but, when
the vessel is filled the water is
overturned into the air-tight
vessel, and the air contained in
the vessel being driven out
through a small pipe will pro
duce the sound. The vessel is
emptied of water by means of a {}
bent siphon, and, while it is be
ing emptied, the vessel on pivots
is again filled and overturned.
It will be requisite that the
stream of water should not fall into the centre of the vessel on pivots,
that when filled it may be inverted speedily.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 67

44. Notes produced from several Birds in succession, by a

Stream of Water.

gº OUNDS are produced at intervals in another way as

ſº º follows. A vessel is taken (fig. 44), provided with
º Sºº several trans
º \º verse parti- §
SN3. Ağ) tions. In the -

*** chambers are

placed siphons conducting into
the chambers beneath, the I
|
streams through them being |
unequal. In the lower com- |

partment is placed the pipe

which produces the sound, and -
|i
.”
…”
U

.*
R
the stream of water falls into
the upper compartment.
will be found that when the
It
.*
| ,”
Us

upper chamber is filled, the

water passes through thesiphon +
placed there into the chamber
below, until it has arrived at
_r
| - -

I
z’

the lowest, and the vessel being

air-tight, the air in this chamber 2-————- +--------|---->
is driven out through the pipe L” }
and produces the sound.
68 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

45. A Jet of Steam supporting a Sphere.

@ALLS are supported aloft in the following manner.
Underneath a caul
dron (fig. 45), con
§ taining water and
| closed at the top, a
=&º fire is lighted. From
the covering a tube runs upwards, at the
extremity of which, and communicat
ing with it, is a hollow hemisphere. If
we put a light ball into the hemisphere,
it will be found that the steam from the
cauldron, rising through the tube, lifts
the ball so that it is suspended.

ºfºgº HE construction of a transparent globe containing air

ºil ſº and liquid, and also
£º 4.
23-
§§
§§
of a smaller globe, in
the centre, in imi
tation of the world.
Sºº-ºº: Two hemispheres
of glass are made (fig. 46): one of
them is covered with a plate of bronze,
in the middle of which is a round
hole. To fit this hole a light ball, of
small size, is constructed, and thrown
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 69

into the water contained in the other hemisphere: the covered hemi
sphere is next applied to this, and, a certain quantity of liquid having
been removed from the water, the intermediate space will contain the
ball; thus by the application of the second hemisphere what was proposed
is accomplished.

47. A Fountain which trickles by the Action of the Sun's Rays.

s& HE “fountain” as it is called may be made to trickle as
2%, long as the sun falls upon it. Let there be an air
- tight pedestal, A B C D (fig. 47), through which a funnel
is inserted, its tube extending within a very little of
the bottom. Let E F be a globe, from which a tube
leads into the pedestal, (reaching nearly to the bottom
and to the
circumference of the globe,)
while a bent siphon, fitted
into the globe, leads into
the funnel. Now pour water
into the globe; and when
the sun falls upon the
globe, the air in it, being
heated, will drive out the
liquid, which will be carried
along the siphon G, and
pass through the funnel into
the pedestal. But when the
globe is in the shade, the
air having escaped through D

the globe, the tube will

again suck up the liquid, and fill the void which had been produced;
and this will take place as often as the sun falls upon the globe.
70 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

48. A Thyrsus made to whistle by being submerged in Water.

Y immersing a thyrsus in water to produce the sound

either of a pipe or of any bird. Let A B C D (fig.
48), be a thyrsus; and
at the extremity of its
head, which must be
hollow and shaped like
a fir-cone, let there be an orifice D. Close
the shaft a little below the mouth by the
partition A E, and place near it a small pipe,
F, just beneath the mouth of the tube, and
passing through an orifice in the partition.
If we insert the thyrsus in water and force
it downwards, the air contained in it being
driven out by the water will produce a
sound. If there is nothing but the pipe we
shall have a whistle only; but if there is
any quantity of water under the partition
there will be a gurgling sound.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 71

49. A Trumpet, in the Hands of an Automaton, sounded by

compressed Air.
* FIGURE stands upon a pedestal having a trumpet in
its mouth: if it be blown into, the trumpet shall
sound. Let A B

sº, c D (fig. 49),

be an air-tight
pedestal on
which a figure stands, and within
the pedestal let there be a hollow
hemisphere, E FG, covered over at
the top and having small holes in
the bottom. From the hemisphere
a tube, H F, extends upwards
into the figure in the direction of
the trumpet, which is provided
with a mouth-piece. Pour liquid
into the pedestal through a hole
which must be afterwards stopped
again by means of [a valve or tap -

called] a smerisma. Now, if we *> _2^

blow into the bell of the trumpet,
the air passing from us will force
out through the holes the water
in the hemisphere, which will aſ le
mount up into the pedestal: but
when we withdraw the breath, the water will enter the hemisphere
again and force out the air, which, passing out through the mouthpiece,
will produce the sound of a trumpet.
72 - A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

50. The Steam-Engine.

a pivot. A fire is lighted under a cauldron, A B, (fig.

50), containing water, and covered at the mouth by
§ the lid c D: with this the bent tube E F G communi
cates, the extremity of the tube being fitted into a
hollow ball, H. K. Opposite to the extremity G place a
pivot, LM, resting on the lid c D;
and let the ball contain two
bent pipes, communicating with
it at the opposite extremities of
a diameter, and bent in oppo
site directions, the bends being
at right angles and across the
lines FG, L. M. As the cauldron
gets hot it will be found that
the steam, entering the ball
through E FG, passes out through
the bent tubes towards the lid,
and causes the ball to revolve,
as in the case of the dancing
figures.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 73

51. A Vessel from which flowing Water may be stopped at pleasure.

|F a bowl stands upon a pedestal and has an open water
spout, the discharge shall suddenly cease, though
there be no slide or tap attached to shut the spout.
º º * Let A B (fig. 51), be the bowl on the pedestal c. through
§) §).
the bottom of the bowl and the pedestal insert a
tº tube, D E F, terminating in a spout; and at the handle
of the vessel fix a bar,
G H, against which an
other bar, K L, may
move about the pin H:
at the extremity K place
a vertical bar, K M,
moving about the pin
K: to this bar let a box,
N X, be attached at
M, having weight, and
large enough to inclose
the tube D E F. When
the bowl is full, if we
depress the extremity
L of the bar, the box
N x will ascend, and,
when this is raised,
the water in the bowl
will be carried out
through the tube D E F : but if the extremity L be set free, the box will
descend and encompass the tube D E F, and the air it contains, having
no way of escape, will disconnect the liquid round the tube D E F, and
prevent it from being further carried out through the mouth D. When
we again depress the extremity L the spout will run as before.
L
74 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

52. A Drinking-Horn in which a peculiarly formed Siphon is fined.

ſº cover of glass be placed upon it, while a discharge is

going on from the vessel, the liquid shall ascend into
the glass cover and be thrown back. A B C (fig. 52),
is a drinking horn, closed by the covering DE ; and
- from D E extend two tubes, F G, H K, one of them, H K,
leading into theinterior of the
vessel, the other, F G, leading
outside. A glass cover, M N,
incloses this; and in the top,
D E, outside the glass vessel,
is an aperture, x, through
which water may be poured.
When the horn is filled
through this aperture, the
tube H K will be filled at the
same time, and as the water
is poured in it will ascend
into the glass vessel so as to
be carried outside through
the tube F G. Thus we shall
have the arrangement of a
bent siphon, of which H K
is the smaller leg and F G
the greater, so that it will attract the liquid in the horn as it ascends
into the cover; it will also attract the air contained in the cover, which
is lighter than the liquid, and the water will appear to be thrown back
into the void space left by the air and to descend by its own weight;
for this upward motion is contrary to its nature.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 75

53. A Vessel in which Water and Air ascend and descend alternately.
&HERE is also another contrivance by which liquid is
º borne steadily upwards and remains, so as to seem
perpetually ascend- -

ing. Let A B (fig. E ~

53), be a perfectly S-P

air-tight pedestal,
furnished with a partition, c D, and a
cylindrical glass cover, E F, also per
fectly air-tight. In the cover E F let
there be a tube, G H, reaching nearly to
the top, and passing through an orifice
in the partition c D, and another tube,
K L, passing through the top of the pe
destal but not descending quite so low
as the partition. In the pedestal, and
outside the glass cover, let there be an
aperture, M, through which the vessel A
D is to be filled, and near the bottom of
the pedestal a spout, N.; also one other
tube, xo, passing through the partition
and reaching nearly to the bottom of
the pedestal, through which the vessel
c B may be filled. If the spout, N, be
closed the air in c B will pass out
through the tubes G H, K L, and the hole M ; and when c B is full we
must fill A D through the hole M, for the air contained in it will pass out
through the same hole. Now, if we set the spout N free, the air in the
glass cover will pass through the tube G H into the void space left
in c B, and water will ascend from A D through the tube K L into the
void space left in the cover, while into the void of the vessel A D air
76 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

will enter through the aperture M; and this will go on until the glass cover
is filled: but the spaces A D, C B, E F, must be of equal capacity that the
air and water may take the place of one another. When C B is exhausted
and the continuity of the air is broken, the water will again descend out
of the glass cover into A D, air passing into the cover through the spout
N and the tube G. H. The air in A D will pass out through the aperture M.

54. Water driven from the Mouth of a Wine-skin in the Hands of a

Satyr, by means of compressed Air.
9.)
Kº) they spout up water through some other place. For
example, if a satyr holds a wine-skin, water shall be
& spouted up through the skin. A B C D (fig. 54), is
an air-tight pedestal on which the figure is placed ;
through the mouth of the figure a tube, E F, is in
serted, communicating
with the pedestal, and
having underneath it a
small plate, G H, which
closes the aperture F
of the tube, and is
supported by pins to
which buttons are at
tached, that the plate
may not fall off. An
other tube, K L, is passed
through the pedestal,
of which the extremity,
K, must be contiguous
to the point at which
the water-jet is to be,
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 77

and the extremity, L, reach to the bottom of the pedestal, leaving only
a passage for the water. At the extremity k there must be a valve
or tap by which the aperture k, which is very small, may be shut.
Now if we pour any quantity of water into the pedestal through a hole,
which we must afterwards stop, and, having closed the aperture K, blow
in air through the tube E F, the air blown in will thrust aside the plate
and descend into the pedestal; and, if this is done several times, the air
in the pedestal will be compressed and close the plate. Let the valve or
tap be opened, and after a short time the compressed air will drive the
liquid in the pedestal violently out through the aperture K, until all the
liquid is spouted up, and the air is brought back to its natural state,
that is, in which it is no longer subject to compression.

55. A Vessel, out of which Water

flows as it is poured in, but if the
supply is withheld, Water will not
flow again, until the Vessel is half
filled; and on the supply being
again stopped, it will not then flow
until the Vessel is filled.

' sels which, when wa

º, ter is poured in, flow
immediately, but, if
we discontinue pour
ing for a short space,
though water is pour
ed in afresh, till they are half full,
when they begin to flow once more; and
if we discontinue again, do not flow
any more till they are quite full. Let
78 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

A B (fig. 55), be a vessel containing, concealed in its interior, three

siphons, c, D, E, one leg of each being near the bottom of the vessel,
while the other, fashioned into a water-spout, conducts outside the ves
sel. At the outer extremities of the siphons, apply vessels, F, G, H, the
bottoms of which are far enough from the orifices of the siphons to admit
the passage of water between ; and let all this be encompassed by
another vessel, as it were a pedestal, K LM N, which is provided with a
spout at x. Let the bend of the siphon c be close to the bottom of the
vessel A B ; that of D, half way up its height, and that of E, near the
neck. Now, if we pour water into the vessel A B, it will immediately
flow through the siphon c since its bend is near the bottom: but, if we
cease pouring, the liquid poured in will be drawn off through the pipe
F, and the vessel F will be found full of water, while the other part of
the siphon c will be full of air. Consequently, when liquid is again
poured into the vessel, it will not pass through the siphon c, owing to
the air which is contained in the siphon between the water which is
being poured in and that in the vessel F. The liquid will therefore rise
as high as the bend of the siphon D, which is at the middle of the ves
sel, and then it will begin to flow : but, if we again cease pouring, the
same will happen as has been explained in the case of the siphon c. A
like result must be imagined with the siphon E. It will be necessary to
pour in the stream gently, that the air intercepted in the siphon may
not be forcibly driven out.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 79

56. A Cupping-Glass, to which is attached, an Air-ethausted

Compartment.

& HE construction of a cupping-glass which shall attract

Z without the aid of fire. Let A B C (fig. 56), be a cup
ping-glass, such as is usually applied to the body,
having a partition across it, D E: through the bottom
of the cupping-glass let two sliding tubes be inserted,
F G being the outer tube and H K the inner; and in
these, but outside the cup
ping-glass, pierce corre
sponding holes, L and M.
Let the inner extremities
of both the tubes be open,
but the outer extremity of
H K beclosed and provided
with a handle. Under
the partition D E place
another pair of sliding
tubes, N x, like those just
described; but the corre
sponding holes must be
within the cupping-glass,
and be precisely adapted
to a hole in the partition.
When these perforations
are complete, let the handles of the sliding tubes be turned round, so
that the holes in the lower tubes may be in a line, while those under the
partition, not being allowed to coincide, remain closed. Now, the
chamber D C being full of air, by applying the orifice L M to the mouth
we can suck out a portion of that air; and then, by turning the handle
again and not removing the tubes from the mouth, we can keep the air
80 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

in the vessel c D rarefied; and this must be repeated until we have

drawn off a large quantity of air. Then, applying the glass to the flesh
in the usual manner, we open the holes in the sliding tubes NX by
means of the handle; and it must follow that some of the air in the ves
sel A D E will pass into the place of the air withdrawn from C D, while
into the void thus created both the flesh and the matter about it will be
drawn up through the interstices of the flesh which we call invisible
spaces or pores.

57. Description of a Syringe.

HE instrument called a pyulcus acts on the same prin
ciple. A hollow tube, of some length, is made, A B
(fig. 57); into this another |
tube, c D, is nicely fitted, to C ºf II

thefastened
is extremity c ofplate
a small which
or T
l
* -

piston, and at D is a handle, E F. Cover the if

orifice A of the tube A B with a plate in which wº w

an extremely fine tube, G H, is fixed, its bore

communicating with A B through the plate.
When we desire to draw forth any pus we
must apply the extreme orifice of the small
tube, H, to the part in which the matter is,
and draw the tube c D outwards by means of
the handle. As a vacuum is thus produced §º P.
in A B something else must enter to fill it, and -

as there is no other passage but through the N/ N/

mouth of the small tube, we shall of necessity
draw up through this any fluid that may be I. F

near. Again, when we wish to inject any

liquid, we place it in the tube A B, and, taking hold of E F, depress the tube
c D, and force down the liquid until we think the injection is effected.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 8|

58. A Vessel from which a Flow of Wine can be stopped, by pouring

into it a small Measure of Water.

ºsº F there be a vessel full of wine and provided with a run

ning spout, when a cyathus, or small measure, of water
is poured upon the neck of the vessel, the discharge
of wine shall cease, but, if a second measure of water
! is poured on, this last shall flow out with the former,
or the two measures of water shall flow out through
two different spouts; and,
after all the water is drawn
off, the wine shall flow again
from the centre spout: more
over, this shall happen as
often as any liquid is poured
on and flows out. Let A B
(fig. 58), be a vessel with a
spout, c, at the bottom, and
closed at the neck by the
partition D E from which ex
tends a tube, F G, encircled
by another tube which is suf
ficiently removed from the
partition to allow of the pas
sage of water, as in the case
of the inclosed diabetes.
Through the partition insert
another tube, H K, projecting
to a less height above the
partition than the former
tube, and branching off be
M
82 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

low into two spouts L and M ; and let this tube also be encircled by
another tube distant a small space from the partition: furthermore let
the vessel have a vent N just under the partition. Now, if, after closing
the spouts, we pour in the wine, it will pass into the body of the vessel
through the tube F G, for the air will escape through the vent N : but
when we close the vent and set the spouts free, the liquid intercepted
in the tube H K will flow through L and M, and that contained in the
vessel through c. If, however, while c is still running, we pour a small
measure of water upon the partition, the air will no longer be able to
enter through F G, and the discharge through c will cease: but if a
second measure is poured on, the water will rise above the tube H K, and
be carried through into the spouts L and M, the whole being drawn up;
and then, the tube F G being opened to the air will enable the spout c
to flow as before. This result will take place as often as we pour on
the measures of water.

59. A Vessel from which Wine or Water

may be made to flow, separately or
mired.

º ROM a vessel full of pure

& wine sometimes the wine
9 flows; if water is poured
in, pure water flows out;
then again pure wine;
- and, if it is desired, when
the water is poured in a mixture shall be
discharged. Let A B (fig. 59), be a vessel,
having a partition near the neck, c D,
through which a tube, E F, is inserted, pass
ing out below and terminating in a spout.
 HERO OF ALEXAN DRIA. 83

In the tube E F, within the vessel and near the bottom at G, let there be
a fine hole, and a vent under the neck at H. Now, if we close the spout
F, and pour in the wine, it will pass into the body of the vessel, the air
escaping through the vent h : but if we stop the vent and set the spout
free, nothing will flow out except what is intercepted in the tube E F.
If water is then poured in, it will flow out pure, and, when the vent is
set free, a mixture is discharged : if nothing more is poured in, pure
wine will flow.

60. Libations poured on an Altar, and a Serpent made to hiss, by

the Action of Fire.

HEN a fire is kindled on an altar, figures placed near

shall offer libations, and a serpent hiss. Let there
%r be a hollow

altar, c, containing within it a

tube, D E, which descends from
the hearth of the altar to the
pedestal, and then branches off
into three tubes, E F leading to
the mouth of the serpent; E G
H to a wine vessel K L, (the
bottom of which must
behigher than the figure
M,) and fastened to the &= zº
lid of K L cross-bar
fashion; while the other
tube E N X, in like man
ner, extends into an
84 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

other wine vessel o P, also terminating in a cross-head. Both these

tubes must be soldered into the bottoms of the vessels, and in each wine
vessel there must be a bent siphon, R s, and T U, one extremity of each
being immersed in the wine, and the other, (from which extend the
hands of the figures which are to pour the libations,) passing, air-tight,
through the sides of the wine vessels. When the fire is about to be
kindled, pour first a little water into the tubes, that they may not be
burst by the dry heat, and close up everything that no air may pass
through. The hot air, becoming mixed with the water, will ascend
along the tubes to the cross-heads, and through them it will exert pres
sure on the wine, and carry it to the bent siphons R s and T U. The
wine flowing through the hands of the figures produces a libation as long
as a fire is burning on the altar. The other tube, conveying the hot
air to the mouth of the serpent, will cause the serpent to hiss.
 IHERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 85

61. Water flowing from a Siphon ceases on surrounding the End of

its longer Side with Water. -

*ET there be an air-tight vessel provided with an open

spout, and by its side a thyrsus under which is a cup
full of water: if the cup is removed, as long as it is
withdrawn, a small stream shall flow from the mouth ;
but when the cup is pushed back, the spout shall run
=ſº no longer. Let A B (fig. 61), be the vessel described,
having its neck closed by the
partition C D ; from C D, and
fitted air-tight in it, a tube, E
F, extends, about which lies
another tube, K L, forming an
inclosed diabetes. With k L
another tube, M N, communi
cates, of which the mouth M
is open, while the outer leg
is placed in a cup, o X, into
which water has been poured
until it is full ; it is clear that
so much of the leg of the si
phon as is in the cup will be
filled at the same time. Into
the neck of the vessel A B a
little water must be poured,
just enough to close all en
trance for the air; and, when
A B is full, the spout P, though open, will not run, since the air has no
means of entrance, because of the water poured into the neck. But if
the cup is drawn slightly downwards, some portion of the leg of the
siphon which is in the cup must be emptied, and into the part emptied
86 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

the contiguous air will be drawn: this air will attract some of the water
which was poured into the neck, so that the water shall rise above the
mouth F ; and hence, the air having found an entrance, the spout P
will run until the cup o X is pushed up again, causing the water to
return to its old position and to close the passage for the air so that the
spout will cease to flow. This will happen as often as the cup is with
drawn and applied: it is necessary however that the cup be not wholly
drawn away, that the siphon leg may not be wholly emptied. Let the
tube M N be fashioned like a thyrsus, R N being its shaft: thus the
spectacle will be properly arranged.

62. A Vessel which emits a Sound when a Liquor is poured from it.

ters a sound when

liquidis forced from
&= it. Take a flagon
Z-º- (fig. 62), such as is
about to be described, the neck of
which is closed by the plate A B,
and the mouth by c D; and through
both these partitions, fitting into them
air-tight, let a tube, E F, be inserted.
G H is the handle of the flagon, and
K L a tube placed in the opposite side
of the neck, fitting closely into the
partition A B and far enough distant
from c D to allow of the passage of
water: in C D let there be a small
pipe M such as will utter sound. The
flagon may be filled through the tube
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 87

E F, the air passing out through the tube K L and the pipe M ; and if we
take the handle of the flagon and incline it so as to pour out the con
tents, water will flow out of the vessel through the tube E F, and into
the neck B c through K L : the air contained in the neck being forced
out through M gives forth a sound. There should be another hole in
A B through which air may pass again when the vessel is righted.

63. A Water-Clock, made to govern the quantities of Liquid flowing

from a Vessel.
* WESSEL containing wine, and provided with an open
spout, stands upon a pedestal: it is required by shift
ing a weight
5) to cause the C
spout to pour R}^TGT5
forth a given x:
quantity, - sometimes, for in- |
stance, a half cotyle (# pint),
sometimes a cotyle (# pint), and, |

in short, whatever quantity we

please. A B (fig. 63), is the vessel
|
into which wine is to be poured: |
|
near the bottom is a spout, D: |

Ix. |
the neck is closed by the par
tition E F, and through E F is in
serted a tube, G H, reaching
nearly to the bottom of the vessel,
but so as to allow of the passage
of water. K L M N is the pedestal
on which the vessel stands, and
ox another tube reaching within,
a little of the partition and ex
88 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

tending into the pedestal, in which water is placed so as to cover the

orifice o, of the tube. Fix a rod, P R, one half within, and the other with
out, the pedestal, moving like the beam of a lever about the point s;
and from the extremity P of the rod suspend a water-clock, T, having a
hole in the bottom. The spout D having been first closed, the vessel
should be filled through the tube G H before water is poured into the
pedestal, that the air may escape through the tube x of then pour
water into the pedestal, through a hole, until the orifice o is closed, and
set the spout D free. It is evident that the wine will not flow, as there
is no opening through which air can be introduced: but if we depress
the extremity R of the rod, a portion of the water-clock will be raised
from the water, and, the vent obeing uncovered, the spout D will run
until the water suspended in the water-clock has flowed back and closed
the vent o. If, when the water-clock is filled again, we depress the
extremity R still further, the liquid suspended in the water-clock will
take a longer time to flow out, and there will be a longer discharge
from D: and if the water-clock be entirely raised above the water, the
discharge will last considerably longer. To avoid the necessity of de
pressing the extremity R of the rod with the hand, take a weight Q,
sliding along the outer portion of the rod, R w, and able, if placed at R,
to lift the whole water-clock; if at a distance from R, some smaller por
tion of it. Then, having obtained by trial the quantities which we wish
to flow from D, we must make notches in the rod R w and register the
quantities; so that, when we wish a given quantity to flow out, we have
only to bring the weight to the corresponding notch and leave the dis
charge to take place.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 89

64. A Drinking-Horn from which a Mirture of Wine and Water,

or pure Water may be made to flow alternately or together, at
pleasure.

a mixture shall flow; when we please, on pouring in

water, water
alone, and
then again

Let A B (fig. 64), be a drinking

horn, its neck closed by the
plate c D, through which is in
serted a tube, E F, leading to
the orifice F, and having a hole,
G, bored in it within the vessel:
in the vessel just under the
partition make a vent H. Now,
if we close the orifice F and
pour in the mixture, it will pass
into the body of the vessel
through the hole G.; and if we
set F free, the mixture will
flow through it, the air escaping by the vent H. Again, if we close
H and pour in pure water, the mixture will no longer flow as the air
has no means of entrance, but pure water; and, when H is set free,
both will flow, the water and the mixture, or rather a mixture which is
produced from the two united.
90 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

65. A Vessel from which Wine or Water may be made to flow

separately or mired.

Sº F water is poured into a vessel standing upon a pedestal

and provided with a spout somewhat above its bottom,
; at one time pure water flows
º out, at another a mixture of
wine and water, and then un
- • mixed wine alone. Let A B
(fig. 65), be the vessel, standing upon a pedestal
and provided with the spout c D, of which the
orifice c is above the bottom of the vessel.
Close the neck of the vessel with the parti
tion E F, and through E F insert the tube G. H.,
projecting slightly above the partition and ex
tending to the bottom of the vessel except that
a space is left sufficient for the passage of water.
In the body of the vessel, and projecting with
out it, let there be another tube K L, under
which a vessel of unmixed wine, K M, is to be
placed ; in the partition E F pierce a very fine
hole N. If, when these arrangements are complete, we pour water into
the vessel through the neck, the liquid lying round the projection of the
tube will remain in the neck; but all above this will be carried into
the body of the vessel, and when it has reached the orifice c of the
spout, there will be a discharge of pure water. When a stream has
begun to issue from the spout, the unmixed wine in the vessel K M will
be drawn up at the same time, on the principle of the siphon, and a mix
ture will be discharged; and when the water is exhausted, the pure wine
will flow by itself, except indeed that the water about the partition E F will
be attracted at the same time. When the small quantity of water on
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 9|l

E F has all run through N, the air will enter and break the continuity
and there will be no further discharge.

66. Wine discharged into a Cup in any required quantity.

} ET there be a vessel filled with wine and provided with a

spout under which a drinking cup is placed: wine shall.
run into the
cupin any re
Øy quired quan
º- £e tity. Let A B
(fig. 66), be the vessel contain
ing wine, and C D the spout, the
upper surface of which at the
extremity c is so smooth that,
when a valve in the form of
a kettle-drum E F is placed upon
it, water is excluded. On the
handle of the vessel fix the ver
tical rod G. H., on which, as on
a fulcrum, another rod K L vi
brates: again place another
rod, M. N, under the pedestal,
moving about the point x, and attach two more rods Ko, LP, moving
on pivots in such a way that, if the extremity M of the bar be depressed,
the valve E F is raised, and the spout is opened and sends out a stream,
but is closed again when M is suffered to return. Let the bar M N sup
port the drinking-cup R, into which we wish to receive the given quan
tity of liquid: the cup must be placed beneath the spout. Take a
weight, s, capable, by means of a ring, of being shifted along the pro
jection Mo of the rod : and when s has been brought towards M, the
spout will be opened and send its stream into the cup, but as the cup
92 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

grows heavy the weight will be raised again and the spout closed. That
the wine may flow out in the required quantity, place in the cup any
measure of liquid, for instance, a cotyle, and, receiving what falls from
the spout in another vessel, shift the weight along the bar to the first
point at which the discharge from the spout ceases: make a mark on
the bar at this point and register one cotyle. We must proceed in the
same manner for a half-cotyle, and two cotylae, and so on for other mea
sures as far as we please; and thus we shall have marks for the differ
ent quantities, signifying the points to which the weight must be brought
in order that they may be discharged. Instead of the valve E F, an air
tight vessel may encircle the spout, so that, as long as the liquid is kept
away by the air within, there will be no discharge through the spout.

67. A Goblet into which as much Wine flows as is taken out.

º ET there be a vessel containing wine and provided with
& a spout, underneath which a goblet is placed: what
ever quantity Ik T.
tº of wine is taken o Q
3.
tº: G
=Zºe) let, as much D
shall flow into it from the spout. -

l
Let A B (fig. 67), be the vessel of |

wine, and c D the spout, to which

are attached the valve E F, and
l
the rods G H, K L, Ko, LM as |
|
before ; and beneath the spout AF
place the cup P. To the rod Ko S
fix a small basin R contained in T

the vessels T, and let a tube, U Q, T

connect the vessels s T and P.
When these arrangements are
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 93

complete, if the vessels st and P are empty, the basin R will fall to the
bottom of s T, and open the spout c D. A stream will flow from C D into
both the vessels s T and P, so that the basin will rise and shut the spout
again, until we remove more liquid from the goblet. This result will
happen as often as we remove liquid from P.

68. A Shrine over which a Bird may be made to revolve and sing
by Worshippers turning a Wheel.
gº HE construction of a shrine provided with a revolving
wheel of bronze, termed a purifier, which worshippers
are accustomed to turn round as they enter. Let
it be required that, if the wheel is turned, the note
of the black-cap shall be produced, and the bird,
standing on the top of the shrine, turn round as
well; while, if the wheel is
turned [in the opposite direc
tion], the black-cap neither
sings nor revolves. Let A B
c D (fig. 68), be the shrine
and E F an axis extending
across it, capable of revolving
freely, to which the wheel H k,
which is to be turned round,
is attached. Let two other
wheels be attached to the axis,
in the interior of the shrine,
L and M, of which L has a
pulley, and M is a wheel with
rays. Round the pulley a
cord is wound, from the extre
mity of which is suspended a
 94 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

vessel N, shaped like a conical oven, and provided with a tube x o, ter
minating in a small pipe which produces the note of a black-cap: under
the conical vessel N must be placed a vessel of water. From the top of
the shrine let fall a small axis s T capable of revolving freely: at the ex
tremity s let a black-cap be placed, and at T a wheel with rays, the
rays of which are implicated with, or take into, the rays of the wheel M.
It will be found that, when the wheel H K is made to revolve, the cord
is wound round the pulley and raises the conical vessel N ; but, if the
wheel is let go, N descends by its own weight into the water and pro
duces the sound by the expulsion of the air. The black-cap turns round
at the same time owing to the revolution of the wheels.

69. A Siphon fired in a Vessel from which the Discharge shall

cease at will.

3 HERE are certain siphons which, when placed in ves

sels, flow until the vessels are emptied, or the surface
of the water has Ju K -

45–
sunk to the level
of the outer orifice
of the siphon. Let
ſ -

it be required that the discharge

|
shall suddenly cease whenever we
wish. A B (fig. 69), is a vessel con
taining a siphon, C D E, the inner leg
of which is bent upwards as at c F G.
. Let a vertical rod H K be fixed, on
which another, LM, works as a lever
beam : from L M extends another
rod, M. N., moving on a pivot, and pro
vided at the extremity N with a ves
sel large enough to encircle the bent
portion of the siphon F G. On the
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 95

rod L M suspend a weight at L, so that the encircling vessel is raised

above the upward bend of the siphon, and the siphon flows. When we
wish the discharge to cease, we have only to remove the weight at L,
and the vessel at N will descend and encircle the bend G c, so that the
siphon will cease to flow. If it is desired that the stream should con
tinue, we must again suspend the weight.

70. Figures made to dance by Fire on an Altar.

§ HEN a fire is kindled on an altar, figures shall be seen
!, to dance: for the altars must be transparent, either of
glass or horn. Through the hearth of the altar (fig.
70), a tube is let down turning on a pivot towards the
base of the altar, and, above, on a small pipe which
is attached to the hearth. Communicating with, and
attached to, this tube are
smaller tubes lying at right
angles to each other, and
bent at the extremitiesinop
posite directions. A wheel
or platform on which the
dancing figures stand, is also
fastened to the tube. When
the sacrifice is kindled, the
air, growing hot, will pass
through the pipe into the
tube, and be forced out of
this into the smaller tubes;
when, meeting with resist
ance from the sides of the
altar, it will cause the tube
and the dancing figures to
revolve.
96 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

71. A Lamp in which the Oil can be raised by Water contained

within its Stand.

32 FIE construction of a lamp-stand, such that, if a lamp

49 is placed upon it, whenever the oil fails, a supply
shall be poured into
it from the handle to
the amount required,
ſº though no vessel is
placed upon the lamp from which the oil
can flow into it. Let the lamp-stand be
constructed with a triangular pedestal,
like a pyramid, A B C D (fig. 71), hollow and
provided with a partition E F. Let G H,
which must also be hollow, be the shaft
of the lamp-stand, and above this shaft
place a hollow cup, K L, capable of contain
ing a considerable quantity of oil. From
the partition, E F, and fitting closely into
it, a tube, M N, must extend upwards,
leaving a passage for the air between its
extremity and the covering of the cup,
K L, on which the lamp is placed. Through
the plate K Linsert another small tube x Q,
a passage being left for water between it
and the bottom of the cup : the tube x Q.
must project a little above the plate K L, and into the projecting part an- "
other pipe P is tightly fitted, closed at its upper extremity, and passing
through the bottom of the lamp so as to be included within it, that there
may be no projection outside. To P solder another pipe, extremely fine,
communicating with it, and reaching to the extremity of the handle, so
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 97

that its stream will be carried into the body of the lamp; this pipe
must have an orifice like the others. Under the partition E Flet a tap
be soldered leading into the chamber c D E F, so that, when it is opened,
the water in the chamber A B E F will pass into c D E F. In the plate A B
let a fine hole be perforated through which A B E F may be filled with
water; the [air] contained in it will pass out through the same hole.
We now remove the lamp and fill the cup with oil through the pipe x Q,
the air escaping through M. N, and again through an open cock in the
bottom c D, when any water in c D E F has first flowed out. The lamp
having been placed on the top by means of the sliding tube P, when it
is required to pour in oil, we must open the tap in the plate E F, and
the water in the chamber A B E F passing into c D E F, the air in C D E F
will reach the cup through the tube M N, and force out the oil contained
in it: the oil will pass into the lamp through the tube x Q and the pipe
attached to it. When we wish the oil to stop running, we must shut
the cock and the discharge will cease. This process can be repeated
whenever it is necessary.

()
98 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

72. A Lamp in which the Oil is raised by blowing Air into it.

! produced with the same

general construction,
more readily [than] by
constructing the pe
destal in which the
water is. Let the rest be as before, with
the exception of the pedestal and the wa
ter in it; the extremity M of the tube
M. N, (fig. 72), being fitted air-tight into
an orifice in the surface of the shaft,
so as to be visible outside. Then apply
the mouth and blow into the outer ori
fice; the breath will pass into the cup
and force out the oil through the tube x o.
Thus the same will take place as before;
for as often as we blow into the tube oil
will flow into the lamp. It will be ne
cessary that the extremity of the handle
should be bent at right angles to the ori
fice of the lamp, that the oil may not be driven outside.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 99

73. A Lamp in which the Oil is raised by Water, as required.

agº HE construction of a lamp. * * * * * * * * Under

neath the lamp place a vessel perfectly air-tight, A B
, (fig. 73), either attached to the lamp or distinct from
it. From this let two tubes extend, c D, E F, commu
nicating with the vessel; the extremity c must reach
- to the bottom except a space sufficient for the passage
of water, and the tube C D
to the surface of the lamp,
having at the extremity D
a small cup through which
the water is to be poured
in : the tube E F must pass,
air-tight, through the bot
tom of the lamp. Now if
oil be poured through the
opening, it will first pass
into the vessel A B, and
then, when A B is full, the
tubes c D, E F, and the lamp
will be filled also. As the
lamp burns it will become
empty, and if we pour in
water through the cup, it
will pass into the vessel AB,
and the oil will ascend and fill up the deficiency in the lamp, until it
reaches the lamp-nozzle. When the oil has sunk again, we must do the
same, repeating it till the supply is expended. If it is required to remove
the vessel A B, the oil being retained in the lamp, there must be a valve
or tap in the pipes c D, E F, close to the vessel A B, with keys near the
100 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

lamp, so that when the keys are turned, the oil in the lamp, and that in
the tubes, shall be confined. Thus the vessel may be removed from the
lamp, and, whenever it is desired, we may bring them together again,
and open the keys. It is better that the pipe E F should lead to the
handle of the lamp, and c D a little behind it, having the cup which
communicates with it, and through which water will be poured in, placed
above; so that the oil will flow from the handle at the same time that
the water is poured into the cup.

74. A Steam-Boiler from which a hot-Air blast, or hot-Air mired

with Steam is blown into the Fire, and from which hot water flows
on the introduction of cold.
& HE con
struction
of a boil
er, on a
which if
a figure
is placed, shaped as if in
the act of blowing, the figure
shall blow on the coals and
thus the boiler be heated:
moreover, if an open spout
project near the mouth of
the boiler, nothing shall
flow from it until we have -.º – -- - - - -- -- - - - - -- - - -- - -

first poured cold water into |

a cup ; and the cold water
shall not mix with the hot
until it passes to the bot
tom of the vessel, while
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 101

water extremely hot flows from the spout. The shape of the boiler
having been determined at pleasure, in that part of it intended to hold
the water a small chamber, perfectly air-tight, is intercepted between
two perpendicular partitions. With this chamber a tube, one of those
which pass under the coals, communicates near the bottom, one end of
the tube being closed that no water may enter it from the boiler: the
other tubes lead into the chamber where the water is. Thus when the
coals are ignited they will generate vapour through that tube which leads
into the small chamber. This vapour is carried along a tube which
pierces the surface of the boiler, and through the mouth of the figure on
to the coals, (for the figure must be bent so as to blow downwards;) and
as vapour is always being generated, the figure is always blowing. The
vapour is generated from the fire, and, if we pour a very small quantity
of water into the small chamber, we shall produce more vapour, and
the figure, blowing with great violence, will heat the boiler still higher:
just as in the case of cauldrons exposed to fire we see smoke ascending
from the water. The figure should be moveable by means of a double
sliding tube, to allow of our pouring in the small quantity of water: and,
at the same time, by means of this tube, whenever we do not require
the figure to blow on the coals, we can turn it round in the opposite
direction. On the surface place a small cup from which a tube leads to
the bottom of the boiler, that when cold water is poured in, it may pass
through to the bottom. In order that the boiler may admit of being
filled when water is poured in, and, at the same time, that the water
may not boil over and run out, let another pipe communicate with the
cup on its inner surface, to avoid offending the sight. We will now
expose to view the construction of the boiler. Set up a hollow cylinder
(fig. 74), of which A B is the under surface, and C D the upper; and
construct another hollow cylinder, with the same axis as the former, of
which E F is the under surface, and G H the upper. On the outer edges of
the cylinders let plates be fastened, so as to keep the cylinders together
and cover the edges. In the cylinder E F G H place the tubes, o K, L x,
M N, of which L x perforates the cylinder on one side only at x, while
102 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

the other two are bored quite through at each end, and their orifices
either way open into the space between the cylinders. Into the space
intercepted between the two cylinders let down the partitions E G, H F,
intercepting the chamber G H E F, into which the tube described above,
perforated at one side only, penetrates. Place on the surface, that is
on G H, a small tube having the figure attached to, and communicating
with, it; the figure must be perforated throughout, and incline downwards
so as to look towards the coals. That the figure may cease blowing
whenever we like, let the tube on which it sits be fitted tightly into the
other, so that, when we turn it round in the opposite direction, the
figure will no longer blow on the coals but away from the boiler. We
shall also find this sliding tube useful for pouring water into the chamber
G F E H, for, after raising the figure from the tube on which it is placed,
we can pour the water through, and thus more vapour will be passed
along into the figure. On the surface H c let a cup, R s, be placed;
communicating with the interior, and having a tube at its extremity
reaching down to the bottom of the boiler with the exception of a
passage for water. When we desire to let the hot water out, we must
pour in cold through R s ; this will pass through the tube which com
municates with the cup into the chamber of the warm water, which
will ascend and flow out through the spout near the neck, for the cold
water which has been introduced will not yet have mingled with the
warm below. As often as this is repeated we shall obtain warm water
for the cold we throw in. In order that we may know when the boiler
will bubble up, the chasmatium is contrived, perforated throughout, and
placed on the neck, a hole having been made in the surface : it is fur
nished with a small tube which looks towards the cup R s, that, when
the warm water ascends, it may be carried into the cup. Such is the
construction of the boiler. If we prefer not to cut off the chamber F G
E H through the whole length, but only for a portion of it, the partitions
are made to reach half-way, and another is placed upon them, admitting
through it a tube which extends up to the figure. When the fire is
kindled there will be a rush of vapour from the small chamber, into which
water will be poured as before.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 103

75. A Steam-Boiler from which either a hot Blast may be driven into
the Fire, a Blackbird made to sing, or a Triton to blow a Horn.
2C gº NOTHER construction of the same kind is employed
\ Ø % to produce the sound of a trumpet and the note of a
ſº
º (); -

V blackbird. A boiler is made (fig. 75), of the same

SºV, º kind as the last, of which all the tubes in the base
- Vº -
are bored through at each end, and near the surface
=2~ there is a tube Q E, into which another tube K L is
closely fitted, extending
into the chamber for
warm air, and movea
ble about the pin K L.
This tube is perforated
i
by three holes, M, N, x, l

and similarly three holes I

I
|

are bored in Q E oppo i

|
|
site the holes M, N, X. |
I
|
Near x, an aperture is I

made in a support which |-

#----
I
----------

+,
|c }f
receives a tube fitting I -
|
|
closely into x and sur |
:
mounted by the figure, t
|
as was described in the I
1–
|
last paragraph: and from t
l

M and N two tubes ex- 2

tend, M o, N P, bent At
at their upper extremi
ties; these tubes pierce
through the surface of
the boiler, into which they are carefully soldered. Through the aper
tures other tubes pass, fitting tightly into the tubes p and o. On one
104 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

of these tubes is placed the figure of a sparrow, hollow within so as to

receive water: the tube on which the bird sits is bent, and provided with
a tuning-pipe, such as are made to produce notes, and the curved part
of it passes as far as the water contained in the sparrow, so that, when
the sound of the pipe reaches the water, the note of a blackbird is pro
duced. In like manner the tube N P has another tube fitting closely
into it, on which is placed a figure shaped like a triton with a trumpet
in its mouth: the tube on which the triton is placed is moreover fur
nished with the mouthpiece and bell as usual, and when the vapour
reaches these and enters them it will give out the sound of a trumpet.
We must discover by trial when the holes in K L are opposite the tubes
Mo and N P, and when to x on which the figure is placed. Having
learnt this, we must make corresponding marks on the pin K L, that the
trumpet may sound, or the figure blow, or the blackbird's note be pro
duced, at our pleasure. The arrangements about the cup and the
ascent of the warm water are to be made according to the previous de
scription.
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 105

76. An Altar Organ blown by manual Labour.

& HE construction of a hydraulic organ. Let A B c D
! (fig. 76), be a small altar of bronze containing water.
# In the water invert a hollow hemisphere, called a pni
geus, E F G H, which will allow of the passage of the
water at the bottom. From the top of this let two

bent without the altar

and communicating
with a box, N x o P, in
verted, and having its
inner surface made
perfectly level to fit a
piston. Into this box
let the piston R s be
accurately fitted, that
no air may enter by
its side; and to the
piston attach a rod,
T U, of great strength.
Again, attach to the
piston rod another rod,
UQ, moving about a pin
at U, and also working v. R. S

like the beam of a lever O

W || Y. Uſ
on the upright rod w y,
which must be well
secured. On the inverted bottom of the box N x o P let another smaller
box, z, rest, communicating with Nx o P and closed by a lid above: in
the lid is a hole through which the air will enter the box. Place a thin
plate under the hole in the lid to close it, upheld by means of four pins
P
1()6 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

passing through holes in the plate, and furnished with heads so that the
plate cannot fall off: such a plate is called a valve. Again, let another
tube, F I, ascend from F G, communicating with a transverse tube, A'B',
on which rest the pipes A, A, A, communicating with the tube, and
having at the lower extremities small boxes, like those used for money;
these boxes communicate with the pipes, and their orifices B, B, B, must
be open. Across these orifices let perforated lids slide, so that, when
the lids are pushed home, the holes in them coincide with the holes in
the pipes, but, when the lids are drawn outwards, the connexion is broken
and the pipes are closed. Now, if the transverse beam U Q be depressed
at Q, the piston R s will rise and force out the air in the box N x o P; the
air will close the aperture in the small box z by means of the valve de
scribed above, and pass along the tube M L K G into the hemisphere :
again it will pass out of the hemisphere along the tube F 1 into the
transverse tube A'B', and out of the transverse tube into the pipes, if the
apertures in the pipes and in the lids coincide, that is, if the lids, either
all, or some of them, have been pushed home.
In order that, when we wish any of the pipes to sound, the correspond
ing holes may be opened, and closed again when we wish the sound to
cease, we may employ the following contrivance. Imagine one of the
boxes at the extremities of the pipes, c D, to be isolated, D being its ori
fice, E the communicating pipe, R s the lid fitted to it, and G the hole in
the lid not coinciding with the pipe E. Take three jointed bars F. H., H M,
M M*, of which the bar F H is attached to the lid s F, while the whole
moves about a pin at M'. Now, if we depress, with the hand, the ex
tremity Mº towards D the orifice of the box, we shall push the lid inwards,
and, when it is in, the aperture in it will coincide with that in the tube.
That, when we withdraw the hand, the lid may be spontaneously drawn
out and close the communication, the following means may be employed.
Underneath the boxes let a rod, M* M', run, equal and parallel to the
tube A' B', and fix to this slips of horn, elastic and curved, of which M",
lying opposite c D, is one. A string, fastened to the extremity of the
slip of horn, is carried round the extremity II, so that, when the lid is
 HERO OF ALEXAN DRIA. 107

pushed out, the string is tightened; if, therefore, we depress the extremity
M* and drive the lid inwards, the string will forcibly pull the piece of horn
and straighten it, but, when the hand is withdrawn, the horn will return
again to its original position and draw away the lid from the orifice, so as
to destroy the correspondence between the holes. This contrivance
having been applied to the box of each pipe, when we require any of the
pipes to sound we must depress the corresponding key with the fingers;
and when we require any of the sounds to cease, remove the fingers,
whereupon the lids will be drawn out and the pipes will cease to sound.
The water is poured into the altar that the superabundant air, (I
mean, of course, that which is thrust out of the box and forces the water
upwards,) may be confined in the hemisphere, so that the pipes which
are free to sound may always have a supply. The piston R s, when
raised, drives the air out of the box into the hemisphere, as has been
explained; and when depressed, opens the valve in the small box z.
By this means the box is filled with air from without, which the piston,
when forced up again, will again drive into the hemisphere. It would
be better that the rod T U should move about a pivot at T also, by means
of a single [loop,) R, which may be fitted into the bottom of the piston,
and through which the pivot must pass, that the piston may not be
drawn aside, but rise and fall vertically.
108 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

77. An Altar Organ blown by the agency of a Wind-mill.

ſ2&HE construction of an organ from which, when the
º wind blows, the sound of a flute shall be produced. Let
, A, A, A, (fig. 77), be the pipes, B C the transverse tube
communicating with them, D E the vertical tube, and
E F another transverse tube leading from D E into a
- box G H, the inner surface of which is made level to
fit a piston. Into this box fit the piston K L, which is capable of descend
ing into it freely. To the piston attach a rod, MN, and to this another,
N x, working on the rod P R. At N let there be a pin moving readily,
and to the extremity x fasten a small plate, xo, near which a rod, s, is to
be placed, moving on iron pivots placed in a frame which admits of .
being shifted. To the rods attach two small wheels, U and Q, of which
U is furnished with pegs placed close to the plate x o, and Q with broad
arms like the sails of a wind-mill. When all of these arms, urged by
the wind, drive round the wheel Q, the rod s will be driven round, so
that the wheel U and the pegs attached to it will strike the plate x o at

Šs
Sº

M|| K

I. G
 HERO OF ALEXANDRIA. 109

intervals and raise the piston; when the peg recedes, the piston, descend
ing, will force out the air in the box G H into the tubes and pipes, and
produce the sound. We may always move the frame which contains
the rod s towards the prevailing wind, that the revolution may be more
rapid and uniform.

78. An Automaton, the head of which continues attached to the body,

after a knife has entered the neck at one side, passed completely
through it, and out at the other; the animal will drink immediately
after the operation.

to drink while it is be
) ing severed in two.
In the mouth of the
animal (fig. 78), let
-
-

there be a tube, A B,
and in the neck another, c D, passing
along through one of the outer feet.
Between these tubes let a male cylinder,
E F, pass, to which are attached toothed
bars, G and H. Above G place a portion
of a toothed wheel, K, and, in like man
ner, beneath H a portion of a toothed
wheel, L. Over all let there be a wheel,
M, the inner rim of which is thicker
than the outer; and let sections be cut
out of this wheel by the three circles M, N and x, so that the interval
between each division may be equal to the radius of the wheel. Let
the rim or felly be likewise divided by the circles, so that the circum
ference of the wheel will no longer be a circle. Having made an inci
sion, o P, in the upper part of the neck, and severed the head within the
1 10 A TREATISE ON PNEUMATICS.

incision, make in it a circular cavity broader below than above, as it

were a female tube shaped like an axe, which will contain two sides of
the hexagon inscribed in the circle. Let this cavity be Rs, in which
the entire rim M N X will revolve in such a manner that, before one divi
sion disappears, the beginning of the next will succeed, and similarly
with the third: so that, if a pin be inserted through the wheel, the
wheel will revolve, and the head of the animal adhere to the neck.
Now, if a knife is passed down through the incision o P, it will enter one
of the clefts of the wheel M, and confine it in the circular cavity; and,
descending lower, it will touch the projecting tooth of the part K of the
wheel, which, being forced downwards, will fit its teeth into those of
the bar G, and the bar being pushed back will bring the cylinder out
of the tube A B. The knife, passing through the intervening space, will
still descend and fall upon the projecting tooth of the part L of the
wheel; and this, being forced downwards, and fitting its teeth into the
toothed bar H, will drive the cylinder out of cD and fit it into A B. This
cylinder is an interior tube fitted into the two tubes, that, namely, in
the mouth of the animal, and that reaching from the incision in the
neck to the hinder foot. When the knife has passed quite through the
neck, and the tube E F has touched both A B and c D, let water be offered
to the animal, and a pair of sliding tubes, placed under the herdsman, be
turned round. When the herdsman revolves, the water above will flow
downwards along the tube c D E F A B, and the current of air caused by
the stream of water will attract the water offered to the mouth of the
animal. Of course the sliding tubes are so arranged that, as the herds
man turns round, the holes in them coincide.
The same result can be brought about without the aid of a stream of
water in the following manner. Take once more a pedestal perfectly
air-tight, A B C D (fig. 79), having a partition across the middle, E F. Let
the tube from the mouth of the animal, G H K, lead into the pedestal, and
another tube, L. M. N, pass through the surface A D and the partition E F.
In the tube, LM N, perforate a hole, x, just above the partition E F, and let
another tube, o P, fit into it closely, having a hole, R, corresponding with
 HERO OF ALEXAN DRIA. 111

the hole x. To the tube

o P attach a figure of
Pan, or some other fi
gure with a fierce look,
and, when the figure is
turned towards the an
imal, it shall not drink,
as though frightened;
when the figure turns
away, it shall drink.
Now, if we pour water
into the compartment
A DE F through a hole,
G', which must after
Ty
wards becarefully closed
with wax or some other substance, it will be found that, if the holes R.
and x are made to coincide, the water which was poured in will pass
into the compartment E B c F. As A D E F becomes empty, it will attract
the air through the mouth of the figure, which will then drink when
a cup is presented to it.

WölffRChêS Museum
Fºliº-k
 *S*º the sixteenth century; they are distinguished in the table below
by the letters a and b. The others are among the Burney MSS., (108 and 81),
and are both assigned to the sixteenth century: they are cited as c and d. Of
these MSS. the first and third, (a and c), are by far the most trustworthy: they
generally supply the clauses missing in the printed text, and often furnish emen
dations of passages otherwise corrupt. The other two agree, for the most part,
with each other, and with the printed text, both in the omission of numerous
clauses and in the grossest errors in individual words. It is thus rendered pro
bable that the defects of the Paris edition are in great measure due, not to the
Editors, but to the MS. followed.
In the following table of emendations made in the text of Hero as it appears
in the Veterum Mathematicorum Opera, those only have been noticed which ap
peared curious or important. Many more have been passed over in which the
correction was obvious even without the aid of any MS. The references are to
the page and line of the Paris edition.
Page and Line
of Paris edition. Reading of Paris Text. Reading adopted.

147 - 29 avktav a b d. orukóav c.

150 - 10 'expavefac its paveſac a b c d.
— - 34 rºv–8taaroMºv kará ràv–8taaroMiiv a.
151 - 8 plvkripaw d. pivkripatv ačpoc a b c.
— — 51 ôorac ôaat a b c d.
153 - 6 Ba0árepov d. Bagúrºpov a b c.
— - 23 areyvöv d. a revöv a c.
114 APPENDIX.

Page and Line

of Paris edition. Reading of Paris Text. Reading adopted.

155 - 3 avréxov a c d. divréxov b.

156 – 1 Trvukruköc a b. Trvukrukoc c.
Commandine reads trysvuartköc.
— - 24 àXXà rô uń c. dXXà rº, u) a b d.
— – 26 avretreštovroc duri roi trečfouroc a b c d.
159 - 17 to v tº trypſº to ºv durq, trypov a c.
(rö ev tº trypov b.)
161 – 2 to 0noc - #0 ſoc. This correction, adopted
originally on the conjecture of Pro
fessor Malden, is supported by the
variations of the MSS.; a reads
{0}ioc, b \0aoc. In like manner
elsewhere read Î0mostèſ, &c. for
io9mostěří.
— – 20 *KKékovíasrat owk irpuńasrat
(so all the MSS.)
170 -
30 *keſvoic ëksivov a b c.
172 -
17 karéxovroc c. karéxovrec a b.
— -
18 tav §
àva èvroc àv 8: duºus virt à vu, ävroc a b c.
3() to ov, *āv ðrov táv a b c.
173 - 20-24 This passage is unintelligible as it stands. It should be read
(with a b c) as follows:—
"Eyx{wuevotiv kai sic rºv MNEO [3áow kai sic rov ITP kpariipa
röv oivov (bare trxiom siva röv IIP sparipa, kai rāv MNEO |3á
ow tre+\mpôoffat ifypt row H aroufou roi awMiivoc' toūrou &
fº. kai ppayávroc row E, où 8tà row KA aw)iivoc, &c.
n the printed text all the words from row oivov to róv Kpariipa
inclusive are omitted; so is the oi, after ºpayávroc. In the trans
lation the MSS. have been departed from in reading “as high
as the mouth of the tube G H,” instead of “as high as the
mouth G of the tube G. H.” The latter reading is clearly incon
sistent with the argument.
174 - 3 sia Xopsi kai 8ta row rpff- sia Xoptiv Kal &a row Y roñua
Maroc roc a D c.
— - 13 ô K, 6 ksvöv ô K #vov a b c.
y z * - • a * * - -

177 - 1 avakckaup()āvra ayyeta avakskáuq,000 tic rā dyyeta c.

a b have divakskáupw.
— - 24 The printed text is here quite unintelligible. We find (begin
ning of § 24 in translation) these words:–£arw aunpuoluártov (;
• * 2. a y - - ºr - w z
8tu nº |3ovXóueffa \6)0' corror) 8? To w8wp Tou ounyou 8ttrxāotov. The
opening sentence should be as follows: 'Ayyetov Švroc kevoi,
kai étépov oivov čxovroc, borov táv w8wo tic to kevöv dyytſov su
 APPENDIX. | 15

Page and Line

of Paris edition. Reading of Paris Text. Reading adopted.

º roaoûrov 8tà kpovvoi Aniláueffa Kekpauévov (; āv Bou

tºueffa siva, A6).p' taro è to 58wo row oivov ... So a c :
b d agree with the text.
180 - 11 Omit rpírov with a c. b d agree with the text in retaining the
word, which is unintelligible.
192 - 3 ëmixmp6évra b d. imsi)\m0évra c.
a has its Xmp0évra.
193 - 26 atroëe?suévot 'amočečouévot a b c d.
195 - 7 atroëséâaffo diročečaſło a b c d.
» a - - - - -

197 – 6 āva, a b c d. kárw, which is given in the mar

gin of d, is necessary to the sense.
200 - 8 Read ëvapuoaffeic sic to apatpuov pepéra, sic rāv Xúvnv, kai
tufºsſ2\ftoffo sic ro apatotov 580p. So all the MSS. In the text
all from pepérw to apatpuov inclusive is omitted.
— - 14 Afte:
a D. C.
trypov add kai dvairMmptºast rôv kevo06vra rômov. So
202 - 20 The last clause of $50 (of the translation) is unintelligible as
it stands in the printed text. For arpépetv sic rºw Xºpava and c
give sic rāv opaipav. In the translation a paipav is preferred to
X69av, and sic omitted.
205 - 10
206
185
-
– 11
; Clauses of considerable length are missing in the text from
the usual cause. They are supplied in the translation.
212 The arrangement of the three plans for self-acting lamps has
been alteredi n conformity with a and c; b and d, agreeing with
the printed text.
216 - 26 ëkirtirrovvoc storm-ſtrov'roc a.
223 - 7 TA (CD) EZ (EF): this change has been
made on conjecture.
— - 16 Before &are has been inserted, without support from the
MSS. The passage is otherwise self-contradictory.
226 - 23 &nvoryuévov a b c d. | &evºutvovº
227 – 21 This passage is corrupt, but the MSS. give no light.
228 – 8 ëkröc ëvròc a b c d.
— - 41 ëv roic at Moic a b c d. roic iv roic ai)\oic 2
229 - 30-40 The reading of the text is evidently corrupt here, but the
MSS. do not supply means for correcting it: uſac oilanc may be
a corruption of uévoſanc; Hero speaks elsewhere of a trºpóvn
Mévovora.
232 – 14 The text and all the MSS. read into; nevertheless intºp has
been substituted in the translation. If the holes X and R
were beneath the partition, the action of the tubes would fail.
 INDEX.

§t-S)&IR (atmospheric) 1. Church organ, 105.

-
of
Wº
ſº Anvil, 2.
..". Dew, 5.
Archimedes, 9. Divers, 8.
} Air-pump (condensing) Door of temple, 33.
23. Dragon, 62.
Altar, 26, 83.
Apple, 62. Earth, 1.
Arrow, 62. Extinguisher, 33.
Air-engine, 95. Engine, (steam-) 72.
Bottle, 3. Fire, 1.
Bitumen, 5. Force, 3.
Bronze, 7. Funnel, 29.
Beam, balance, l I. Fir-cone, 70.
Bar, 19. Flagon, 86.
Bird, 29. Finger-organ, keys, 105.
Beam on an axis, 33.
Ball tap, 36. Glass, 3, 68,74, 75, 76, 79, 95.
Ball float, 43. Globe, 7, 20.
Beam, 44. Groove, 17.
Bow, 62.
Boiler, 72, 101, 102, 103. Hammer, 2.
Buttons, 76. Heat, 2.
Bellows, (substitute for) 105. Horn-shavings, 3.
Bell-crank lever, 106. Handle, 17.
Hinges, 25.
Cupping glasses, 4. Holy water, 49.
Coal cinders, 5, 101, 102. Hercules, 62.
Cook's ladle, 21. Hot-air blast, 100, 101.
Carpenters' rule, 25.
Chain, 32. Iron, 10.
Cork, 36. Jar, 22.
Coin, 37.
Cock or tap, 41. Kettle drum, 32.
Cylinders, (bored bronze) 44. Key, 41.
 INDEX. 117

Light, 9. Sieve, 19.

Libation, 26. Spout, 73.
Lathe for turning, 32. Syringe, 80.
Lead, 36. Serpent, 83.
Lamp-wick, 52. Steel-yards, 87.
Lever-beam, 94. Shrine, 93.
Spur wheels, 93.
Metal plate, 7. Sparrow, 104.
Marine torpedo, 10. Springs, 106.
Sectors, (toothed) 109.
Nut, (substitute for) 17.
Tube, 7.
Oil, 6. Tin, 8.
Owl, 30. Trumpet, (mouth-piece and bell) 32.
Oven, 94. Three-way cock, 51.
Organ-pipes, 105. Trigger, 62.
Pores, 9. Thyrsus, 70.
Priest, 26, 83. Turn-table, 95.
Priestess, 26. Triton, 103.
Pulley and rope, 32. Tuning-pipe, 104.
Piston, turned, (metallic) 44. Tappet-wheel, 108.
Piston-rods, 44.
Pan, 47. Vacuum l.
Pinion, (toothed) 52. Vent, 21.
Poised cup, 66. Valve, (circular slide) 23.
Valve, (clack) 24.
Quicksilver, 58. Valve, (suspended) 37.
Valve, (spindle) 44.
Rod, 32. Universal joint 45.
Rack (toothed) 52. Valve, (plane slide) 105.
Racks, 109.
Water-clocks, 1, 87.
Sand, 2. Water, 1.
Spunge, 3. Wind, 2.
Smoke, 5. Wine, 19.
Steam, 5, 68, 69, 72, 100. Weight, 32.
Sulphur, 5. Wheels, 49.
Sun, 5. Wine-skin, 55.
Sun's rays, 9. Washing basin, 55.
Suction, 11. Water-jet, 65.
Solder, 17. Whistle, 70.
Sliding-frame, 17. Wheel and axle, 93.
Screw, 17. Windmill, 108.
 SKETCH OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF

STEAM NAVIGATION.

FROM AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS.

BY BENNET WOODCROFT.

PROFESSOR OF MACHINERY IN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON.

With Seventeen Lithographic Plates and Woodcuts. Feap. 4to. 12s. cloth.

Although much has been written and published on the subject of Steam Navigation, the
merits of the several inventions by which it has been brought into practical operation have
not in all cases been faithfully recorded, or duly assigned to their respective authors.
This defect is intended to be supplied in the following sketch; first, by a chronological
enumeration of the several projectors, whether subjects of Great Britain or Foreigners; and
secondly, by presenting to the reader a clear and impartial statement of what has been ac
complished by each, viewed either as an original inventor, or as having been instrumental in
promoting the means by which Steam Navigation has reached its present state of excellence.
The pretensions of the several inventors are accordingly arranged in the order of time,
and at such length as the limits of the work will admit.
Those who have explained the nature and principles of their inventions are afforded the
advantages derivable from such explanations by quotations from their own writings; while
other inventors or patentees, who have not availed themselves of this mode of giving publicity
to a description of the means by which they have endeavoured to supersede prior inventions,
or to extend their utility, have the benefit of such remarks as have been elicited by the wri
tings of their own countrymen.
The sketch accordingly commences by detailing facts which demonstrate that the use of
 2

the Paddle-wheel as an instrument for propelling boats or vessels is of great antiquity, pre
ceding by ages the first suggestion of the application of steam as a motive power for that
purpose.
This is succeeded by a recapitulation of the early projects for propelling vessels by the
aid of the steam-engine, and of the various modifications proposed or practically adopted at
subsequent periods; thus placing before the reader the means of forming a just estimate of
the pretensions of the several projectors to be ranked as the real authors of the present
system of Steam Navigation.
In conclusion, some of the instruments denominated Screw Propellers are duly noticed,
with authentic statements of the results of various experiments in which they were applied,
and remarks on those generally in use in Europe and in the United States of America. It
will be obvious that the facts thus detailed were widely scattered, and in some few instances
difficult of access: they have consequently been collected and arranged from many sources,
and the compilation is now submitted as forming a book of reference which may be found
not only useful, but interesting to those who seek for information as to the origin and pro
gress of Steam Navigation.—Preface.
-z-z-z--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LONDON: TAYLOR, WALTON, AND MABERLY, IVY LANE,

PATERNOSTER ROW. 1848.