WITHDRAWN FROM THE ACTION OF GRAVITY. 709 



and we see that, in fact, these numbers closely approximate to 

 each other, and very nearly amount to 4. The mean of these 

 numbers, i. e. 4'38, gives us then very nearly the constant value 

 which, commencing with a suitable charge, the proportion of 

 the length of the nascent divisions of a vein of water to the 

 diameter of the contracted section of this vein assumes. 



This is also evidently the value of the proportion of the length 

 of all the divisions of the continuous portion of a vein of water 

 to the diameter of the contracted section, when the charges are 

 sufficiently considerable for the movement of transference of the 

 liquid to be perfectly uniform throughout the whole extent of 

 this continuous portion. In experimentally determining, in the 

 case of any other liquid, the number of vibrations corresponding 



to a given charge and orifice, the value of -r referring to this 



liquid is also obtained by means of the formula [a). If we con- 

 fine ourselves to liquids the viscosity of which is very slight, 

 the values would very probably be found to differ but little from 

 the preceding ; and it may consequently be considered, that, 

 with the same charge and the same orifice, the sounds produced 

 by the veins formed respectively of these various liquids are 

 very nearly of the same pitch ; but the case would undoubt- 

 edly be diflferent, at least in general, if we passed to liquids of 

 considerable viscosity. 



Savart says, that the nature of the liquid appears to exert no 

 influence upon the number of vibrations corresponding to a 

 given charge and orifice ; but he does not point out what the 

 liquids were which he compared in this respect ; from what we 

 have stated, it may be presumed that these liquids were some of 

 those the viscosity of which is very slight. 



84. Since the partial duration of the transformation of a 

 cylinder may evidently be taken into account, as we have already 

 remarked, by considering only one of the constrictions of the 

 figure, or simply the neck of the latter, and, on the other hand, 

 as this duration varies, for the same diameter, with the nature 

 of the liquid, it follows that in the vein the time comprised 

 between the instant at which the superficial section which 

 constitutes the neck of a constriction passes to the contracted 

 section, and the instant of the rupture of the line into which 

 this constriction is converted, will also vary, all other things being 

 equal, with the nature of the liquid. Now it necessarily follows 



