FIG. 7.—THE MAGIC BOTTLE.
“Let us now see how each person in turn can draw his own wine out through the same neck. At the bottom of the vessel, Α Β, there are arranged tubes which start from each of the compartments, to wit: The tube χ ψ from the compartment, Μ; the tube ω σ, from Ν, and the tube λ μ, from Ξ. The extremities, ψ, σ, and μ, of these tubes should communicate with another tube, α, in which is accurately adjusted another, β Γ, closed at Γ at its lower extremity and having apertures to the right of the orifices, ψ, σ, and μ, so that such apertures may, in measure, as the tube revolves, receive respectively the wine contained in each of the compartments and allow it to flow to the exterior through the orifice, β, of the said tube, β Γ. To this tube is fixed an iron rod, δ ε, whose extremity, ε, carries a lead weight, η. To the extremity, δ, is fixed an iron pin supporting a small conical cup whose concavity points upward. Let us therefore suppose this truncated cone established, its wide base at ξ, and its narrow one (through which the pin passes) at θ.[2] Again, one must have small leaden balls of different weights, and in number equal to that of the compartments, Μ, Ν, and Ξ. If the smallest be placed in the cup, ξ θ, it will descend on account of its weight until it applies itself against the internal surface of the cup, and it will be necessary to so arrange things that it may thus cause the tube, β Γ, to turn so as to bring beneath ψ that one of the apertures that corresponds to it, and that will thus receive the wine of the compartment, Μ. This wine will then flow as long as the ball remains in the cup. If, now, the ball be removed, the weight, η, in returning to its first position, will close the orifice, ψ, and stop the flow. If another ball be placed in the cup, a further inclination of the rod, ε δ, will be produced, and the tube, β Γ, will revolve further, so as to bring its corresponding aperture beneath σ. Then the wine contained in the compartment, Ν, will flow. If the ball be removed, the weight, η, will redescend to its primitive place, the aperture, σ, will be closed, and the wine will cease to flow. Finally, upon placing the last ball (which is the heaviest), the tube, β Γ, will turn still more, so as to cause the flow of the wine contained in the compartment, Ξ.
[2] The text does not agree with the figure given by the MSS. Moreover, there is an arrangement here that it is difficult to understand from Heron’s description.
“It must be remarked that the smallest of the balls should be so heavy that when placed in the cup it shall outweigh the weight, η, and consequently bring about the revolution of the tube, β Γ. The other balls will then be sufficient to cause the revolution of the said tube.”
ANCIENT ORGANS.
The hydraulic organ filled with its powerful voice the vast arenas in which the gladiators fought, and Petronius relates that Nero one day made a vow to play one of them himself in public if he escaped a danger that threatened him. The invention of them is attributed to Ctesibius.
[Fig. 1] gives a reproduction of one of these instruments as described by Heron in his “Pneumatics.”