304 SCIENTIFIC RECREATIONS. 



a fourth was thrown out at four miles, and after flying in a circle, " alighted 

 on the top of the balloon." Of the remaining pair one was dead when the 

 ground was gained, and the other recovered. 



The observations noted are too numerous to be included here. Some, 

 we have seen, were confirmed by subsequent aeronauts, and as we have 

 mentioned them in former pages we need not repeat them. The results 

 differed very much under different conditions, and it is almost impossible to 

 decide upon any law. The direction of the wind in the higher and lower 

 regions sometimes differed, sometimes was the same, and so on. The 

 " Reports " of the British Association (1862-1866) will furnish full particulars 

 of all Mr. Glaisher's experiments. 



We have scarcely space left to mention the parachutes or umbrella-like 

 balloons which have occasionally been used. Its invention is traced to very 

 early times ; but Garnerin was the first who descended in a parachute, in 

 1797, and continued to do so in safety on many subsequent occasions. The 

 parachute was suspended to a balloon, and at a certain elevation the voyager 

 let go and came down in safety. He ascended once from London, and let 

 go when 8,000 feet up. The parachute did not expand as usual, and fell at 

 a tremendous rate. At length it opened out, and the occupier of the car 

 came down forcibly, it is true, but safely. The form of the parachute is not 

 unlike an umbrella opened, with cords attaching the car to the extremities 

 of the " ribs," the top of the basket car being fastened to the " stick " of the 

 umbrella. 



Mr. Robert Cocking invented a novel kind of parachute, but when he 

 attempted to descend by it from Mr. Green's balloon it collapsed, and the 

 unfortunate voyager was dashed to pieces. His remains were found near 

 Lee, in Kent. Mr. Hampton did better on Garner in's principle, and made 

 several descents in safety and without injury. 



The problem of flying in the air has attracted the notice of the 

 Aeronautical Society, established in 1873, but so far without leading to 

 practical results, though many daring and ingenious suggestions -have been 

 put forth in the " Reports." 



It is not within our province to do more than refer to the uses of the 

 balloon for scientific purposes, but we may mention the services it was 

 employed upon during the French war, 1870-71. The investment of 

 Paris by the German army necessitated aerial communication, for no other 

 means were available. Balloon manufactories were established, and a great 

 number were made, and carried millions of letters to the provinces. Carrier- 

 pigeons were used to carry the return messages to the city, and photography 

 was applied to bring the correspondence into the smallest legible compass. 

 The many adventures of the aeronauts are within the recollection of all. A 

 few of the balloons never reappeared ; some were carried into Norway, and 

 beyond the French frontier in other directions. The average capacity of 

 these balloons was 70,000 cubic feet. 



Of course it will be understood how balloons are enabled to navigate the 



