Nero rnin Ce Been 

Figure 5.—HERsCHEL CURRENT METERS as illustrated in the 1879 edition of Buff 
and Berger’s catalog. 
I then began using them for river measurements. ‘The 
water was very muddy, and boils in the swift current 
carried fine sand to the surface which I caught in my 
drinking cup. Neither would give discharge measure- 
ments which corresponded with the gradual increase in 
gage. 
I then rated both meters in a bayou which had been 
recently filled with muddy water from the river, and the 
rating dots were irregular in location. Some dots indi- 
cated an increase of friction in the wheel bearings. 
I then rated the meters in a smooth-flowing chute, 
carrying sand and fine silt from the river. The meters 
PAPER 70: WILLIAM GUNN PRICE AND THE 
were moved alternatively upstream and downstream. 
These ratings were very inaccurate, indicating the effect 
of grit in the bearings. 
I then wrote to Captain Leach that using these meters, 
I was unable to secure discharge measurements which at 
all corresponded with the daily increase in stage. The 
river was having a slow continuous rise. I asked Captain 
Leach to send me a meter which would give accurate 
measurements. The next day at 5 p.m. I received the 
following telegram: “Have no meter to send you. Do 
the best you can.” 
Almost immediately the idea occurred to me that by 
PRIGE CURRENT METERS 47 
