68 On Modes of obtaining Important [Feb. 



> 

 IV. — On Modes of obtaining Important Results by Simple Means. 

 By Capt. G. Twemlow, Bomb. Arty. 



1st. — Movement of heavy masses without crpetice of Machi?iert/. 



Most persons may some time or other have to raise heavy bodies, 

 or move ponderous masses, without having command of modern mecha- 

 nical means ; a few retrospective glances to the probable modes prac- 

 tised in ancient times, by comparatively rude nations, may perhaps 

 elicit useful hints. 



We know that in very remote times, enormous stones, such as no 

 modern machinery could be made to lift, were placed on the tops of 

 walls, or fixed over pillars to form gateways; for instance, "in the 

 ruins of Balbek, (the ancient Heliopolis of Syria,) there are three 

 stones lying end to end, in the same row, extending sixty-one yards. 

 One of them is sixty-three feet long, the other two sixty each ; their 

 depth is twelve feet, and their breadth the same; and, what adds to 

 the wonder, they are raised up into the wall above twenty feet from 

 the ground*." Were these stones swung up by machinery ? Most 

 probably not ; labour having been cheap, it is far more probable, that 

 as the masonry advanced, an inclined plane of earth would be pro- 

 gressed ; up which the common materials would be conveyed by donkey, 

 camels, and labourers, as we read of in the accounts of ancient works ; 

 and this in hot climates would admit of lime-cement binding well and 

 gradually. Having the inclined plane, there would be no difficulty in 

 rolling the sixty feet in length stones upon it, to their intended positions 

 on the top of the wall, there being an inclined plane on each side. When 

 the work was finished and the cement (if used) been allowed time to 

 bind, the earth would be removed, and be used in levelling the 

 grounds, forming terraces, or in other modes. It will be found that in 

 eastern climes the expence attending this mode of scaffolding is 

 much less than that of machinery, where very heavy masses have to be 

 raisedt. Let us take another instance. 



Suppose you had to place on two erect pillars, or pointed rocks, an 

 enormous impost stone, similar to the egg-shaped stone said to be still 

 existing in the parish of Constantine, Cornwall, England. " The longest 

 diameter of this stone is thirty-three feet, pointing due north and soud), 



* Extract from Maurice's Indian Antiquities, vol. v. page 142. 



t In throwing- arches of small span, the cheapest plan for (or inste.id of) cen- 

 terings, where labour is cheap, is to erect two temporary walls y and till the space 

 between them with earth, or stones, bricks, &c. 



