AUGUST 13, 1914] 
NATURE 
615 
time, Mr. Lanchester, working from first prin- 
ciples, developed the same conditions for the pro- 
duction of longitudinal stability. Both investi- 
gations are dependent for numerical data on the 
results of experimental research on models, and in 
producing this the aerodynamical laboratories are 
concerned. In England such data are produced at 
the National Physical Laboratory, whilst France, 
Germany, Italy, and Russia have each one or more 
institutions for the purpose of aeronautical ex- 
periment. 
Finally, there are the constructors and pilots 
who apply the results to practice. In the case of 
the RE1 the application was made by the Royal 
Aircraft Factory, the pilot being responsible, not 
only for the flying of the machine, but also for the 
adjustments necessary to produce the desired 
amount of stability. 
The mathematical analysis, most clearly ex- 
pressed in Prof. Bryan’s work on ‘Stability in 
Aviation,” has shown that for all aeroplanes the 
motion may be considered as dependent on four 
surfaces. The surfaces need not have any exact 
material existence in the aeroplane but are equi- 
valent to the sum of the effects of all the separate 
parts. The position of these surfaces can be 
described quite shortly; the largest of them 
carries practically the whole weight of the aero- 
plane, and in a monoplane is almost identical with 
the main planes. A_ second surface roughly 
parallel to the supporting surface and behind it is 
used to obtain longitudinal stability, whilst two 
vertical surfaces, one above and the other behind 
the main supporting surface, are necessary to 
produce lateral stability. The equivalent surface 
above the main planes is usually produced by turn- 
ing up the wings near the body so as to make a 
dihedral angle, whilst that behind the main planes 
is in large part provided by the rudder and fixed 
tail fin. 
Each of these equivalent surfaces. is somewhat 
complex in character, and in particular the rear 
vertical fin is dependent on whether the propeller 
is running or stationary. Theoretical considera- 
tions indicate that any good flying machine can, 
however, be made stable by suitable choice of 
these four equivalent surfaces without affecting 
appreciably the design of the aeroplane from the 
point of view of efficiency and strength. Actual 
flight has shown how in one particular case, at 
least, it has been done. 
The problem of flight, however, is more difficult 
than that of producing stability, and further 
analysis brings into prominence the importance of 
knowing the amount of stability. In the course 
of the Wilbur Wright memorial lecture, Dr. 
Glazebrook exhibited diagrams which, amongst 
other things, showed the amount of the rise and 
fall of a stable aeroplane in a moderate wind, 
this rise and fall being necessary for recovery 
from disturbance. As a deduction from these dia- 
grams it appears that in really rough weather a 
stable aeroplane might be tossed about to an un- 
comfortable extent. The analysis which leads to 
this result also indicates a remedy, and by an 
extension it is possible to investigate the effect 
NO. 2337, VOL. 93| 
of moving the controls of an aeroplane and so to 
utilise the result as to produce a mechanical device 
for reducing the tossing. It is perhaps unwise 
to attempt to prophesy, but it appears to be prob- 
able that the aeroplane of the future will be in- 
herently stable, with a degree of stability now 
thought undesirable, and that it will be provided 
with a mechanical device for operating the con- 
trols so as to reduce the effect of an external 
disturbance. Near the ground the pilot will 
always need to take control, for then the man- 
ceuvres may require to be quite different from 
those natural to the flying machine. 
Problems of an urgent but entirely different 
character are also presenting themselves to the 
constructor for solution. A suitable engine is still 
being sought for, whilst the problem’ of safe 
alighting is probably the one now presenting the 
greatest number of difficulties. 
TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOR FISHER- 
MEN. 
WE noticed, a short time ago (May 28, p. 
324), the report of the Departmental Com- 
mittee on Inshore Fisheries, but did not deal fully 
with the sections relating to education. Some of 
the recommendations made in the Report are 
most useful in so far as they direct public atten- 
tion to the question of the better education of 
fishermen. We feel, however, that they do not 
suggest any useful advance upon what is already 
being done by certain local authorities under the 
stimulus of the Board of Education; and it is 
evident that the committee, in their desire to re- 
port speedily upon the other more important 
questions referred to them, did not fully acquaint 
themselves with the real conditions at the fishing 
ports so far as the instruction of fishermen is 
concerned. ‘ 
Two distinct questions are involved: (1) that 
of the better education of the deep-sea mén, and 
(2) that of the education of the inshore men. 
(1) The Deep-sea Fishermen.—Until a few 
years ago it seemed as if the craft of the fisher- 
man were almost the only one for which tech- 
nical instruction was unnecessary. For cen- 
turies the methods of trawling, drifting, and 
lining have been carried on with essentially no 
modification. But with the development of the 
modern deep-sea fishing vessel, and the enormous 
industrial change which has followed this, there 
arose the necessity for a real knowledge of work- 
ing methods of navigation. Even for such vessels 
working in the shallow seas a sound acquaintance 
with the rule of the road was necessary ; and when 
steam-trawling became extended to Icelandic 
waters, the Barentz Sea, and the coast of 
Morocco, it became evident that tnere was little 
in the way of a knowledge of navigation, as it is 
practised ‘aboard a transatlantic liner, that was 
not also required by the master of a steam-fishing 
vessel. Repeated and lamentable losses of life 
and property, experienced even during the last 
few months, have driven home this truth in the 
minds both of owners of fishing vessels and of 
