AERIAL LOCOMOTION 42 1 



very marked effect of this kind has been observed in practice. 

 Whatever theoretical interferences there may be, the detrimental 

 effect upon the flying qualities of a kite are not, practically, 

 obvious ; while the gain in structural strength and in lifting 

 power outweigh any disadvantages that may exist. I presume, 

 that there must be some limit to the number of cells that can be 

 placed in close proximity to one another without detrimental 

 effect ; but so far my experiments have not revealed it. 



To test the matter, I put together into one structure all the 

 available winged cells I had in the laboratory — 1300 in num- 

 ber. These were closely attached together without any other 

 empty spaces in the structure than those existing between the 

 individual cells themselves when in contact at their corners. 

 The resulting kite, known as "The Frost King," consisted of 

 successive layers, or strata of cells, closely superposed upon 

 one another. (See Plate XIV.) The lowest layer, or floor of 

 the structure, consisted of 12 rows of 13 cells each. The cells 

 forming each row were placed side by side attached to one an 

 other by their upper corners ; and the 12 rows were placed one 

 behind the other, the rear corners of one row being attached to 

 the front corners of the row immediately behind. The next 

 stratum above the floor had 11 rows of 14 cells; the next, 10 

 rows of 15 cells; etc., — each successive layer increasing in 

 lateral dimensions and diminishing in the fore and aft direc- 

 tion ; so that the top layer, or roof, consisted of a single row of 

 24 cells placed side by side. One would imagine that a closely 

 packed mass of cells of this kind — 1300 in number — would 

 have developed some difficulty in flying in a moderate breeze if 

 the cells interfered with one another to any material extent : but 

 this kite not only flew well in a breeze estimated at not more 

 than about 10 miles an hour because it did not raise white-caps, 

 but carried up a rope-ladder, several dangling ropes 10 and 12 

 meters long, and more than 200 meters of manilla rope used as 

 flying lines, and in addition to all this, supported a man in the 

 air. (See Plate XV.) 



The whole kite, impedimenta and all, including the man, 

 weighed about 131 kgs. (288 lbs.) ; and its greatest length from 

 side to side was 6 meters at the top and three meters at the 



