TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 217 



definite estimate of the " rougliness of tlie sea," at present recorded for meteoro- 

 logical purposes at a very coarse guess from mere inspection. He considered 

 it was desirable to confine tiie measurement to two points — ascertaining the 

 aggregate heiglit of the waves, and their number during measured intervals of 

 time ; and he had devised simple -and compact machinery for this purjjose, as well 

 as for obtaining profiles of waves when desired. The machinery could consist of a 

 float sliding up and down strained wires on a platform like Brighton or Scarborough 

 piers. A line from this float could pass over a pulley, the motion of which, trans- 

 mitted through a shaft, would give all the req[uired measurements. The measure- 

 ment of the aggregate heiglit of the waves would be eftected by simply connecting 

 a ratchet-wheel, pawled so as only to turn one way, with the float pulley. A pro- 

 jecting stud on the ratchet-wheel would record the aggregate height of the waves 

 by means of any mechanical counting arrangement. In order to count the waves, 

 it was simply necessaiy to record the number of times the float pulley reversed its 

 motion. This was effected by a reciprocating frame connected with a ratchet- 

 wheel by a pawl, which the wheel could reverse by lifting the reciprocating frame. 

 The method of counting which he proposed was to malie a pencil which, if imdis- 

 turbed, traced a straight line on a long slip of paper, such as a Morse telegraph-coil, 

 and received a slight shake at stated numbers. Time would be marked on the 

 same paper by a clock giving a similar shake to another pencil at stated intervals of 

 time. In this manner a permanent and continuous record of the number of waves 

 and aggregate height at all times would be automatically made. The machine 

 might be perfectly boxed in, with no other communication with the external pulleys 

 and float than a shaft passing through a stuffing-box. The recording machinery 

 would thus be secm-e from injury. It would, moreover, require attention only once 

 a day. The writer also described an arrangement by which the same machine 

 might be made to trace the profile of waves whenever required ; but this addi- 

 tional apparatus would require to be specially set at work when made, the waves of 

 the sea being far too numerous for it to be possible to take portraits of all of them. 

 Mr. Merrifield suggested that it would be very interesting to establish such an 

 apparatus at Brighton Pier. 



On the relative Value of Clarified and Unelarified Seioage as a Manure. 

 By William Paul, F.B.A.S. 



The author of this paper, after briefly pointing out the sources whence plants 

 derive their food and the conditions most favom-able to the free use of this food, 

 stated that all his experience, which was considerable, was in favour of the use of 

 " clarified" sewage, to which he attached great value. 



" Now, highly important as is the use of appropriate manures to aid in the 

 development of our growing crops, as a cultivator, I attach more importance than 

 is commonly attached to the physical conditions of the soil — especially to keepino- 

 the surface loose and the soil porous that the water may get away, and that the 

 air- and sun-heat may follow wherever the water or clarified sewage goes. The 

 clarified sewage is food placed within reach of the roots; the presence of air 

 renders this food more plentiful, and the sun-heat stimulates the roots to feed. 

 The fertility of a soil is therefore largely influenced by the amount of air-heat 

 which it contains. 



" This brings me to the principal objection which I have to m-ge against putting 

 sewage on the land in an ' unelarified or sludgy state. I am free to admit that 

 the sewage clarifies in its passage downwards, presenting to the roots the same food 

 as if the sewage had been previously clarified. But thB sm-face of the earth is 

 thereby made to act as a filter, and the physical conditions of the soil are altered. 

 The 'unelarified' sewage in passing through the soil has become clarified; but the 

 pores of the soil are more or less closed against the passage of air, and a solid or 

 half-liquid glutinous mass rests on the surface of the earth, throwing back the sun- 

 heat ! The food is there, but the stimulants of air- and sun-heat are shut out or 

 greatly diminished, and the fertility of the soil is impaired in a corresponding 

 degree." 



