THE WATER RAM. 105 



in fact, were this pipe 1320 feet long, so that the pressure A qvjaitcrofa 

 exerted by the water in it would be forty times that of the at- j-pi'liar^or'iij- 

 mospherc, tlic air would be condensed by this pressure into a stance. 

 fortieth part of its usual bulk, and in consequence the ascend- 

 ing valve K could not be raised without a pressure at least 

 equal to that of the air : but at the moment the stopping valve 

 closes, the cylinder of water in motion cannot be stopped 

 without imparting its active force to a portion of the water, 

 which has no easier way of escape than by the aperture I; 

 accordinc^ly the valve K will be raised, and a portion of the 

 water will enter into the reservoir. This, it is true, will be 

 kss, in proportion as the height of the ascent is greater; but 

 it will nevertheless contain the greater part of the active force 

 exerted by the motion of the cylinder of water BCDO. 



The example I have taken of u pressure of 1320 feet has This provoJ 

 been verified by experiment, and all that could have been ex- ^^''^-^'I'*^^""^"*' 

 pccted in it actually took place, I'his pressure is considera- 

 bly greater than any that usually determines the height to which 

 attempts have been raacie to raise water, so that the w^t 

 i*am is applicable to every possible ca^c of ascent, a circum- 

 stance that could never be accomplished by wheels or pumps. 



This description must be sufficient to show, that the ram is The engine is 

 liable to very little friction^ and that in consequence it will ^f^st j'.^^.JJ''^^.^j^j*'*^ 

 much longer than other machines. If the parts be made as 

 strong as the calculations of the resistance requires, it may be 

 presumed it will produce a very profitable cfiect for a great 

 length of time without mucli alteration. 



The following is an account of the two experiments, which 

 I promised, to show the value of the ram. 



Estimate of the fxpcnditure and produce of the water ram con- Force expend- 

 strnctcd at the bleaching icorhs of M. Turquet, "ear produ'cert ^j^'^a 

 Senlis, water ram. 



Exp. I 

 The ram is seven inches and half in diameter; the height of 



the head of water above the stoppage valve is three feet two 

 inches. 



The height to which the water is raised is fourteen feet two 

 inches above the sa.me point. 



The water that descended in a hundred strokes of the ram, 

 which took place in three minutes, was 1987 English quartss 



Vol. XIV.— June, 1806\ P The 



