Figure 9. — Antk\thera Machine. Partul Recon- 

 struction BY Theophanidis (scc footnote 16). 



arc more akin to those current in China than in the 

 West. Tlie relevant portions of text are as follows 

 (italics supplied): 



The circle of the horizon is midway of the sphere. .Vs 

 covered with a casing and as left uncovered, it is the sphere 

 surrounded by Lokaloka [the mountain range which formed 

 the boundary of the universe in pin-anic geography]. By 

 the application of water is made ascertainment of the 

 revolution of time. One may construct a sphere-instrument 

 combined with quicksilver: this is a mystery; if plainly 

 described, it would be generally intelligible in the world. 

 Therefore let the supreme sphere be constructed according 

 to the instruction of the preceptor [guru]. In each suc- 

 cessive age this construction, having become lost, is, by the 

 Sun's favour, again revealed to some one or other, at his 

 pleasure. So also, one should construct instruments in 

 order to ascertain time. When quite alone, one should 

 apply quicksilver to the wonder-causing instrument. By 

 the gnomon, staff, arc, wheel, instruments for taking the 

 shadow of various kinds. ... By water-instruments, the 



vessel, bs' the peacock, man, monkey, and by stringed 

 sand-receptacles one may determine time accurately. 

 Quicksilver-holes, water, and cords, and oil and water, 

 mercury and sand are used in these: these applications, 

 too, arc difficult. 



Surya Siddhanta, xiii, 15-22, 

 E. Burgess' translation. New Haven, i860. 



.\ self-revolving instrument [or swayanvaha \anlra]: 

 Make a wheel of light wood and in its circumference put 

 hollow spokes all having bores of the same diameter, and 

 let them be placed at equal distances from each other; and 

 let them also be placed at an angle verging somewhat from 

 the perpendicular: then half fill these hollow spokes with 

 mercury; the wheel thus filled will, when placed on an a.\is 

 supported by two posts, revolve of itself. 



Or scoop out a canal in the tire of the wheel and then 

 plastering leaves of the Tala tree over this canal with wax, 

 fill one half of this canal with water and the other half with 

 mercury, till the water begins to come out, and then cork up 



PAPER 6: CLOCKWORK, PERPETUAL MOTION DEVICES, AND THE COMP.ASS 



95 



