492 History and Progress of Aerial Locomotion. [Feb. 8, 



It is the transition from the gliding machine to the mechanically- 

 propelled machine, carrying its own store of energy, which forms the 

 chief gap to be bridged at the present time, in the attempt to conquer 

 the air ; and, as this gap bids fair to be narrowed, in the course of time, 

 by reducing the difficulty of balancing large machines on the one 

 hand, and by reducing the weight of motors on the other, we may 

 hope that the near future may witness an experimental demonstra- 

 tion of the possibility of artificial flight. 



[G. H. B.] 



