Science.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1893, 23 August 1884, Page 6 (Supplement)

Science.

"The Sliowspeecl." " The Showspeed," an instrument invented by Mr. J. M. Napier, of Lambeth, offers an advantage to all employers of machinery in motion. A circular cup is mounted on a spindle so constructed that it may be put into connectidn with a machine, an engine, or a moving body of any kind. A glaa9 tube, after the manner of a barometer tube, rises from the cup ; a given quantity of mercury is poured in; and when the cup rotates, the mercury rises in the tube, and by means of a float indicates the epeed of the machine, the carriage, or the locomotive to which the Showspeed is for the time attached. The float rises and falls with every variation. Similarly the rate of motion of a ourrent, a river, or of a waterfall may be measured, and read off at a glance, if the scale be suitably insoribed.

Ballooning will henceforth form a part of the art of war, for, by order of the War Office, a balloon equipment has been placed in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. Two balloons for experimental purposes, and a portable furnace for the manufacture of hydrogen gas, are in commission ; and a party of men and officers of the Eoyal Engineers have been instructed in aerostatics, and in the preparation of network and other appliances required in actual aervice. Among these is a kind of rope not more than half an inch thick, but of such strength that it will bear a strain of three tons, which rnqy. be expected to do good work with the grappling-irons. The balloons and all the appurtenances have been made within the Arsenal, co that ample supplies can be produced as required in working out the important aeronautical question. That balloons may be employed with great advantage in war has already been demonstrated. To look down into an enemy's camp, or to spy out his movements behind a ridge or in the rear of a wood, may tend to the defeat of his plans and the shortening of a campaign ; and this may be done by means of a captive balloon. Bnt very much more might be done if a free balloon could be made to sail in any direction; and this is the problem wbioh the Royal Engineers and the Aeronautical Society have now to work out.