From time immemorial, the inhabitants of some distant regions have
carried on their nocturnal or underground manufactures by natural gas,
obtained through a hollow reed thrust into the earth. Arriving at modern
times, navigation by the Archimedes screw, as a propeller, through the
means of steam, attracted the notice of the Scottish Society of Arts in
1840; but, above twenty years previously, an experiment with similar
screws, adapted to a boat, on the lake Lochend, by Mr. Whytock, a member
of the Society, proved the efficiency of the invention, though on a
small scale. In Scotland, an Agricultural Society was established in
1723; a thrashing-machine appeared in 1735; and a reaping-machine in
1765.
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