ON AERIAL LOCOMOTION. 



;2i 



lu order to meet these conditions the following arrangement was alU-r- 

 wards tried : a a, Figs. 4 and 5, is the main spar, 16 feet long, half an 



Fig.4. 



inch thick at the base, and tapered both in breadth and tliicknessto the 

 end 5 to this spar was fastened the panels b b, having a baseboard for 

 the support of the body. Under this and fastened to the end of the 

 main spar is a thin steel tie-band, e c, with stmts starting from the spar. 

 This serves as a foundation of the sn[)er])osed aero ])lanes, ami though 

 very light, was found to be exceedingly strong, for when the ends of 

 the spar were placed upon supports, the middle bore the weight of the 

 body without any strain or deflection; and further, by separation at 

 the base-board, the spars could be folded back with a hinge to half their 

 length. Above this were arranged the aero i)lancs, consisting of six 

 webs of thin holland 15 inches broad ; these weie kei)t in |»arall(d planes 

 by vertical divisions 2 feet wide, of the same fabric, so that when dis- 

 tended by a current of air, each 2 feet of web pulled in op])osition to 

 its neighbor ; and finally, at the ends (which were each sewn over laths) 

 a pull due to only 2 feet had to be counteracted, instead of the strain 

 arising from the entire length, as in the former experiment. 'Vha end- 

 pull was sustained by vertical rods, sliding through loops on tln^ trans- 

 verse ones at the ends of the webs, the whole of which 

 could fall flat on the spar till raised and disteiuled by a 

 breeze. The top was stretched by a lath,/, and the 

 system kept vertical by stay cords taken from a bow- 

 vsprit carried out in front, shown in Fig. (>. All the 

 front edges of the aero-planes were stiflened by bands 

 of crinoline steel. This series was for the supporting- 

 arrangement, being equivalent to a length of wing of DO feet. Exterior 

 to tliis, two propellers were to be attached, turning on spindles Just 

 .above the back. They are kept drawn up by a light spring, and pulled 

 H. Mis. 224 21 



Fig.6. 



