92 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [JAN. 30: 
soar, its fixity in the plane of rotation will hold it constant to its 
original inclination, while the wind of advance will lift its 
forward edge, and at its utmost reach of progressive force, still 
whirling swiftly, it ‘‘touches the button,” if you will pardon 
the expression, for its return, and gravity ‘‘does the rest,” 
sliding it down to Mother Earth along the line of least resist- 
ance, which is the direction of its inclination, caused by the 
wind of advance. 
It is a somewhat singular fact that after several years of 
experiments with a great variety of shapes, the one which I 
have selected as best suited to popular use, is the same figure 
with which my first experiment was made, built upon the theory 
of its requirements. And I must add, that as against the 
unqualified assertions of very eminent authorities, viz.: That 
itis ‘‘impossible to aim accurately with the returning boome- 
rang,’’ quite an astonishing degree of accuracy may be attained 
by the methods which I pursued. And it is this shape which 
makes possible the statement at the beginning of this paper, 
for it has not one of the enumerated essential features of the 
Australian Boomerang. Its curve is not parabolic ; it has no 
convex upper side; it is not thickest in the middle; it has no 
warp or twist, and it is not dented. 
While I leave something interesting untold, I will, however, 
add in a general way in conclusion, that I believe my application 
of the principles involved will solve the problem of “‘ stability ” 
for the ‘“ Ariators,’’ which they have so long sought in vain, 
and for the want of which their models of flying machines, 
though they would rise without the aid of a bouyancy chamber 
of any sort, were quite as likely to proceed end over end or 
wrong side up, as the right way. My belief is based upon the 
fact that a small flying model of my own make, not only 
proceeded right side up, but it alighted gently upon its feet, so 
to speak, every time. 
And so it may be said that this “scientific vagabond,” as the 
boomerang has been called, has been carrying around with it a 
secret, which, let us hope, may some day serve a useful purpose 
for the good of mankind, 
