, Apparatus for teaching Mechanics. 443 



III. . 



Dtjcription and Ufe of a cheap andfimple Apparatus for leaching ihejirfl Principles of Me- 

 chanics. By Richard Lovell Edgeworth, Efq. F, R. S. and M. R. I. A* 



VV E do not mean to undervalue either the application of ftrift demonftratlon to pro- 

 blems in mechanics, or the exhibition of the moft accurate machinery in philofophical lec- 

 tures ; but we wi(h to point out a method of giving a general notion of the mechanical 

 organs to our pupils, which (hall be immediately obvious to their comprehenfion, and which 

 may ferve as a fare foundation for future improvement. When a perfon perceives the 

 efFett of his own bodily exertions with different engines, and when he can compare in a 

 rough manner their relative advantages, he is not difpofed to reject their afhftance, or to 

 expedt more than is reafonable from their application. The young theorift in mechanics 

 thinks he can produce a perpetual motion ! When he has been accuftomed to refer to the 

 plain dictates of common fenfe and experience, on this, as well as on every other fubjeft, 

 he will not eafily be led aftray by vifionary theories. 



To bring the fenfe of feeling to our afllftance in teaching the ufes of the mechanic' 

 powers, the following apparatus was conftrufted, to which we have given the name 

 Panorganon. 



It is compofed of two principal parts ; a frame to contain the moving machinery ; and 

 a capflan or ivindlafs, which is eredled on tlJiII^k plank, that is funk a few inches into the 

 ground; the frame is by this means and by fix braces or props rendered fteady. The crofs 

 rail, or tranfotn, is ftrengthened by braces and a king-poft to make it lighter and cheaper. 

 The capflan confifts of an upright (haft, upon which are fixed two drums ; about which a 

 rope may be wound up, and two levers or arms by which it may be turned round. There 

 is alfo a fcrew of iron coiled round the lower part of the (liaft, to (liew the properties of 

 the fcrew as a mechanic power. The rope which goes round the drum palles over one of 

 the pulleys near the top of the frame, and under another pulley near the bottom of the 

 frame. As two drums of different fizcs are employed, it is neceffary to have an upright 

 roller to conduft the rope in a proper direction to the pulleys, when either of the drums is 

 ufed. Near the frame, and in the direction in which the rope runs, is laid a platform or 

 road of deal boards, one board in breadth, and twenty or thirty feet long, upon which a 

 fmall fledge loaded with different weights may be drawn. Plate XIX. Fig. i. 



F. F. The frame, b. b. Braces to keep the frame fteady. a. a. a. Angular braces to 

 ftrengthen the tranfom ; and alfo a king-pcjl. S. A round, taper, (liaft, ftrengthened 

 above and below the mortices with iron hoops. L L. Two arms or levers by which the 



• Extrafted by permiifion from " PraJlicsl Education by Mwia Edgeworth, and Richard Lovell 

 Edgeworth, F. R. S. and M. R, I. A." 



3 L 2 fliaft 



