$22 A. B. Quinty on Crank Motion. 
Note.—Since I wrote the above solution I have learned 
that the N. A. Review contains an article in which it is sta 
ted that the crank motion occasions a loss of three fourths 
of the whole power employed! ! ; 
On refering to the article alluded to, (vol. 14, p. 407,) 
I find the following statement relative to the loss of power 
suppose o result from the reciprocating motion produced 
by the crank 
‘‘ There isin the steam engine a loss of power in chang- 
ing the direction of its action from rectilinear. to rotary 
by the methods in common practice, not very satisfactorily 
accounted for, considering the magnitude of the loss, which 
on an average amounts to about three fourths of the whole 
power. as. appears from. the reports on the performance of 
the engines used at the mines in Cornwall.” 
* This, together. withthe hope of producing a more sim- 
ple machine, has given rise to very frequent attempts to ap- 
ply the action of the steam directly to a wheel, and by 
that means obtain a circular motion primarily.” 
With respect to the reports on the performance of the 
w 
Tt must, however, be concluded that a very great blunder 
has, in some way, been committed by those who made the 
estimates, since the reciprocating. motion of the steam en- 
gine does not in truth (abstractly. considered) occasion any 
to Fender its construction more simple, and especially to 
generate steam at less eXpense, are highly laudable; and 
