181. The Sun shone bright on both: and in a very few Minutes, the circular Prospects encreased: which was now become a regular and undeniable Signal that the Balloon had begun to descend. ([Section 17].)
The latter Plain appeared, at the first, about the Size of a common Handkerchief.
The Balloon continued to descend.
The same Spot perpetually varying to the Eye of the Aironaut.
182. In a Couple of Minutes, the Plain appeared intersected closely every Way, like the Coat of a ripening Melon. Descending a little lower; it seemed covered with a Net, the Meshes of which were distinct. And lower still; it extended itself greatly on all Sides: (at which Time a certain Degree of Chilliness prevailed:) and was then again mistaken, and looked upon as a dry Heath, deeply overrun with Shrubs of the same Name.
Ballast thrown out gradually.
183. The Descent of the Balloon being rather quicker than was expected, or desired; it was deemed expedient to have Recourse to the last Bag of Sand, which lay open, and weighed 20 Pounds.
It was accordingly thrown out, a Handful at a Time.
The remaining Ballast thrown out at once, in all 20lb. weight.
But that Method not seeming sufficient to check the Descent, when at the Height of 150 or 200 Yards; all the Sand was poured out, and the Bag thrown down.