Bacon says that Objects are more visible in an East Wind, and Sounds more audible in a West Wind; being heard at a greater Distance. “Historia Ventorum, P. 37, Art. 31.”
[112]See Le Roi’s Uses of the airostatic Globe at Sea, in his “Navires des Anciens, Page 225.”
[113]The natural Figure of the Dìodon-Globe-Fish, a coloured Print of which is given in “Martyn’s new and elegant Dictionary of natural History:” where it is described as follows: “The Form of the Body is usually oblong: but when the Creature is alarmed, it possesses the Power of inflating its Belly to a globular Shape of great Size;”—seems to furnish a Hint for the proper Figure of a Balloon, when the Art is more improved.
The Balloon, as far as it is meant to resemble the upper Part of the Fish, is to be made stiff, with Pasteboard or Papier-mâchè varnished; for, being strong, and in a permanent Form, it is more capable of continuing Air-tight: the lower Parts being flaccid, will be inflated, as the Balloon rises, and deflated during the Descent.
Rowers, and propulsive Machinery, are to be fixed within the Fish, in Place of the Fins: and Goods of greater Weight placed in a covered Car below: the Air-Bottle-Balloon being fixed between both.
[114]And by Kunckel’s or Canton’s Phosphorus, See “Priestley’s History of light. Pages 585, 370.”
[115]This was owing to the cool Air rushing in to supply the Tendency to a Vacuum by the Expansion of hot Steam, with the extricated Gass.
The Accident proves that no Danger is to be dreaded from expansion of the Gass.
[116]From Bersham-Forge near Wrexham, where there is always a sufficient Quantity.
[117]The detached Thermometer might be protected from the Sun, by being swung a few Inches below the Car of the Balloon by means of an Opening made purposely throu’ the Center of the Car.