[Illustration: Diagram of apparatus as described in text]
The construction of an organ from which, when the 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 descending into
it freely. To the piston attach a rod, M N, 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, X O, near which a rod, S, is
to be placed, moving on iron pivots placed in a frame which admits of
being shifted. To the rod S 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 intervals and raise the piston; when the peg recedes, the piston,
descending, 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._
[Illustration: Diagram of apparatus as described in text]
An animal shall be made to drink while it is being 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 manner, 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 circumference of the wheel will
no longer be a circle. Having made an incision, O P, in the upper
part of the neck, and severed the head within the 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 R S, in which the entire
rim M N X will revolve in such a manner that, before one division
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 C D 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 herdsman 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, L M 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 the hole X. To the tube O P
attach a figure of Pan, or some other figure with a fierce look, and,
when the figure is turned towards the animal, it shall not drink, as
though frightened; when the figure turns away, it shall drink. Now, if
we pour water into the compartment A D E F through a hole, G´, which
must afterwards be carefully 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.
[Illustration: Fig. 79.]
[Illustration: Decorative floral border]