(18 Henry Riddell on 



solution in the outer vessel. As the solvent is of smaller specific 

 gravity than the solution, therefore the liquid in the tube rises to 

 a higher level than the surface of the solution in the container. 

 If now the tube be cut between these two levels, it is clear, says 

 Bernouilli, that a constant overflow takes place, and perpetual 

 motion exists. Bernouilli thought' that this action completely 

 explained the presence of spritigs upon the mountain sides 

 adjacent to the sea, although the difference in levels transcends 

 anything possible in differences of density or specific gravity. He 

 I)oints out that capillary action, often appealed to in this connec- 

 tion, cannot explain such springs, for while it may account for 

 water rising, it will, in the very same way, prevent it being poured 

 out again to form springs. 



We may now rapidly review some of the actual schemes 

 framed and machines proposed and invented to solve the problem. 

 With the great mass of material available it will be necessary to 

 use some system, and we shall adapt to our purposes the arrange- 

 ment employed by Bishop Wilkin, who classes them ; 



I St. Those depending upon chymical extractions ; 



2nd. By magnetical virtue ; 



3rd. By the natural affection of gravity. 

 We may extend the first section to include certain processed 

 that savour more of the physical than the chemical, and in the 

 third make a subdivision depending upon pneumatic and hydraulic 

 pressure. 



The ancients had funny ideas as to " chymical extractions." 

 To quote Wilkin again: " The discovery of perpetual motion hath 

 been attempted by chymistry. Paracelsus and his followers have 

 bragged that by their separations and extractions they can make 

 a little world which sliall have the same perpetual motions with 

 this macrocosm .... but these miraculous promises will 

 need as great a faith to believe them as a power to perform them. 

 One of these ways as I find it set down is" — and here follows a 

 passage from Van Ettin's book, but I prefer to give the wording 

 from a very quaint En<,lish version of Van Ettin which I have 

 found in the library of the Queen's University of Belfast. It is 



