714 TECHNOLOGY AND CIVILIZATION. 



observation shows that we havesabjectedall these cases, inconsequence 

 of thesuitabk^. inclosing of the liquids in channels, i>ipes, and vessels, 

 to such a forced way of motion — I at one time proposed to name it 

 "forced-running" — that they are able to work in mechanisms as do firm 

 bodies, but have this advancage of conforming themselves always to 

 their surroundings. 



If we introduce something of this kind in our running work (Fig. 1), 

 replacing the cog bar by a stream of water, then our running work 

 becomes a water wheel, mediocre indeed, if the water is taken as the 

 driving force. It becomes a dipping wheel or spray wheel when the 

 wheel a is propelling and the water b is the propelled body. 



The practice in machines leads to the same thought concerning ob- 

 struction work. The obstructing ratchets are named valves when either 

 the wheel a or its substitute — a section of the wheel, cog bar, etc. — 

 have been converted to liquids. The valves are in reality in every 

 way, try them or examine them as we will, the obstructing ratchets of 

 the liquid. One observes immediately what a new, great, yes, even 

 grand, enlargement has been gained by the [)utting into use of these 

 drive works. Examples surround us, I should say crowd around us. 

 Our common water-pump, with the butt of the valves and the sucking 

 valve, is a water leap work prepared exactly in accordance with the 

 scheme mentioned before, viz, of that leap work found in Fig. 2. Also 

 in check work we find fluids, liquids, and gates taking the place of an 

 ascending wheel or its substitute, as in water throwing machines and 

 not less in steam-engines. 



In fact, regarding these machines as drive works, they correspond to 

 clocks which I have taken as illustrations of obstruction works, the 

 difference being solely that in clocks a harmful resistance, in the other 

 machines a useful resistance, is overcome. Had I more time I would 

 prove their similarity in all points. 



The valves, for instance, often single, but sometimes a combination 

 of two or more in one machine, correspond to the so-called anchor of 

 the clock check work, to the eccentric (muschelschieber) of the steam 

 engine, the pendulum of the clock being represented by the vibrating 

 butt, etc. 



Thus the great and powerful steam-engine legitimately and with 

 perfect ease falls in the line, taking there its rightful place. And so 

 must it be with scientific perception which will have to do with true, 

 logical connection only (not with sensational), performing wonders. 

 But in dealing with this principle we must gain one more ascent in 

 order to attain the full theoretical horizon. Let us not regret the 

 trifling exertion which must bring abundant reward. 



Noting, from the common standpoint, the source of power in our 

 steam-engine, w-e find within the collected mass of stored-up steam an 

 active, communicating atom force, which is an expansive power or ten- 

 sion work. The boiler, too, with its valves and contrivance for letting 



