471 FOC 
‘a watchmaker of Vienna; actually realised the views of Flying 
the numerous projectors who preceded him, regardin A 
FLY 
+ et wowee fying squirrels, bats, butterfies, fying fish, the flight of men in theair, We regret that we can- Pochsbers 
&e, with wings formed of compact mem! sail fly. not present a description of his machine in detail ; but 
and ion. 
pb reaped 
regions, In soiging operation, he particularly di- 
action of the air 
wi « the air is struck by the wings, 
ashen Sor dwtstmgt oy.A Se ag caused, 
pansive power air acting a resisting 
fore aginst the back edges of the wings, to glide for 
ward in a right line.” We shall abstain from follow- 
2 
| 
than 60 miles in 15 minutes. 
It appears, that in the year 1808 or 1809, Mr Degen, 
in. river § 
it seems constructed on philosophical principles, and to 
operate in a manner analogous to. the wings of birds, 
while the effect partly resembles the closing of a para- 
.chute stationary on its descent. A frame is made, prin- 
cipally consisting of rods of some strong but light ma- 
terials, on which the adventurer stands in‘an. erect pos- 
ture. A heart-shaped wing, nine feet long, eight. broad 
at the swell, and terminating in a ‘point, proceeds from 
that part of the frame close to each shoulder ; and a 
fan-shaped tail, apparently connected with both wings, 
proceeds from d as far as their swell, » Each wing 
is concave like a parachute, and, by a series of cords 
~ from the extremity of the different. ribs, composing it,. 
can be suddenly contracted, so as to.give percussion 
agnipnt the air, and consequently by its resistance pro- 
uce elevation. It is not sufficiently explained how the 
i ph pe marae i ein aliges ed ; but Jhirto bene 
ferred, is is done by elevating, depressing, or re- 
volving a crank, connected. at each extremity. with the 
series of cords, which display or contract. the wings. 
M. is said to have mounted high in the air by 
the aid of his machine, and. to have exhibited a flight 
resembling that of a bird, not consisting merely in. as- 
cent or descent, but in real aérial navigation. | ~ 
We are hence entitled to conclude, that the elevation 
of man in the atmosphere by artificial wings, is not be- 
ond the bounds of possibility. Without indulging in 
fanciful theories, could it be reduced to practice, it-as- 
suredly would not be void of utility. @ reason why 
the invention of balloons has not hitherto been emment- ~ 
ly beneficial, arises from their unwieldy size,..which is 
an obstable. slinest ineupesile 9. gwcing. Utare.apd 
which leaves them at the mercy of the winds. 
be otherwise on the employment of wings, for a nar 
rower proportion could eserved between an oar.or 
a rudder, of whatever kind or description, and. the to- 
tal volume of the machine, than between the same im- 
plements and an inflated balloon. | Birds, however, 
present some physical A ised which man can ne- 
ver to imitate : ir muscular powers, their cor- 
poreal structure, and above all, their mode iration, 
are of a different nature from what.is witnessed among 
terrestrial somals,,, Hieneedt Fare pen ol stat she 
highest perfection of artifici t wo! a 
distant approach to the adptiaite prerogative which 
has been conferred on the feathered tribes. See Aulus 
Gellius, lib. x. cap. 12. Journal des Savans, 1678, 
p. 235, , Wilkin’s Mathematical Magic... Arch ia, 
We agp Grenie. vol. 1ii. ap pai Wal. 
s Treatise on. Artificial Flyi Si rge Cay- 
ley on Aérial Navigation, in Nicheloon's Somer mn 
xxiv. Annales des Arts et Manufactures, tom. .xxxi, 
Huber, Sur le Vol des oiseaux de proie,.. (c) 
FO. See Cuina, vol. vi. p. 243. 
FO-PEE. See Cuina, a vi. p. 219% rt 
FOCHABERS, is the name of a small town. in the, 
cone FORA, situated on the right bank of the 
pey, a few miles above its mouth, The town 
stands on a eae ground above the river, and consists 
of a square with streets entering it at, right angles. 
The houses are neat and well t, and the church, 
situated on the south side ics aA ae handsome 
building. A very large and elegant bridge, built of free. 
stone, md consisting of four eae i was latel 
thrown over the Spey at this town. The two middle 
arches have a span of 95 feet, and the other, two a span 
It might- 
