24-4" Mr. Carter's Remarks on Mr. Beke's Papers 



The preceding investigation supposes one arm only on the 

 same centre, as in the modern semaphores; but as they may 

 be made with several arms on the same centre, it may be 

 proper on some future occasion to give the method of find- 

 ing the signals for such as have any given number of arms on 

 each centre, any number of centres, and any number of posi- 

 tions of each arm ; an investigation a little more complicated 

 than the preceding, but, like it, capable of reduction to an ex- 

 pression of great simplicity. 



If, in any semaphore, instead of one arm on each centre, we 

 suppose as many arms on each centre as each arm has posi- 

 tions, the number of signals will be 2 oc — 1. 



Thus, if the Admiralty semaphore had six arms on each 

 centre instead of one, the number of signals would be 2 2x6 — 1 

 = 4095 instead of 48 as at present. 



It is indifferent in the application of the preceding theorem 

 in what order the centres are placed, but they should be in 

 the same vertical plane, and the plane perpendicular to the 

 spectator's line of vision. 

 Kensington-square, June 3, 1834. 



XXXVI. Remarks on Mr. Beke's Papers on the Gopher- 

 wood, and the former Extension of the Persian Gulf. By 

 W. G. Carter, Esq. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 

 Gentlemen, 



TN Mr. Beke's observations in your April Number, on my 

 * paper in that for March, that gentleman represents me as 

 stating, that society previously to the Deluge " existed in a 

 state of infancy as regards its culture and knowledge," and 

 " that he apprehends the evidence we possess on the subject 

 ought to lead us to a very different conclusion." Mr. Beke 

 has here mistaken my meaning. I have not expressed any 

 opinion respecting the general culture and knowledge of 

 mankind at that period. My remark was confined to their 

 navigation only. Of all persons, Noah and his family were 

 the least likely to have been ignorant of any art in the build- 

 ing of vessels and boats which was possessed by the antedi- 

 luvian world. Whatever knowledge they had of the subject, 

 we may infer that they conveyed to their posterity. Yet have 

 we no reason to suppose, from the history of any country, that 

 the arts of ship-building and navigation had made any consi- 

 derable progress for many ages after the Flood. How, indeed, 

 were they to have been acquired? Navigation is cultivated 

 by an early, very much by any people, in seeking those sup- 



