100 THE WATER RAM. 



theory of (he action of this machine, arc not my object in 

 the present paper; in which I mean only to make known 

 their practical results, in such a way as to enable any one 

 to form a sufficient judgment of the effects produced by this 

 . ^ machine, and avail himself of the advantages it offers. A de- 

 scription of^-thc machine itself. an<l an account of some of 

 the trials made with it, will be sufp.c'jnt to show, that its 

 simplicity gives it a decided superiority over others, from the 

 less original expence it demands, and the greater supply it 

 affords. 

 Advantage of This double advantage obtained at the same time is 

 machineJ '" ^^'-^ evident. In fact, simplicity is the most estimable 

 quality of a m.achine ; at the same time that it renders it 

 cheaper jtn the first cost, and to keep it in order. It is better, 

 because every useless piece not only adds to the expence, but 

 is detrimental to the end to be obtained. The simplicity of 

 a machine is therefore an argument in its favom- with men of 

 sense; and we may reasonably expect greater cfl'cct from a 

 simple engine than from one of greater complexity. 

 What is meant Jt may not, perhaps, be amiss to explain what I mean by 

 a^iiadihip. ^ ^^"^ effect of an hydraulic machine, as it may lead to a more 

 accurate judgment of the true value of my engine, called the 

 Water Kam (Bclier), and other machines. 



I have premised, that for raising water we must employ 

 some power which is furnished by different agents. The ram 

 is worked by that part o( the water that falls. 

 Power of a fall It is a simple fact, of which no one can be ignop«nt, that 

 o wa er. falling water has only a determinate power, which is propor- 



tionate to the mass of the w ater, and the height from which it 

 falls': accordingly, if I would express the power I have to 

 employ in numbers, I multiply the mass of the falling water* 



Simple means * The means we have »f measuring accurately the quantity of 

 of estimating water flowing from a spring or in a river, are not of a nature to 

 the movinc; ^^ employed with facility by every one: but we may have recourse 

 to approximations, the results of which will always come iTUrch 

 nearer the truth than would be supposed from the notions com- 

 monly formed on such subjects, and will often be fully sufficient 

 for my purpose. For example, if it be wished to be known how 

 much water flows through an aperture ander -^ certain pressure, it 



will 



