165 



O'} the modV of raisuii^ ^Vatc}• in India. [April 



per miniitp it nviy be found by a simple proros^ t.bat they round 

 2.37 times per minute and consequently raise each bucket an equal 

 number of times, or 140 lbs. of water 4.74 times per minute, 27 

 feet hi^j^h, which is equal to the performance of a Bhowrie. If tho 

 Talue be resolved, it will be found equivalent to 17.917 lbs. raised 

 one foot hi^h per minute: if 2 pairs of Bullocks be employed the 

 effect will be doubled. 



24. As I have made no allowance for friction, noi accidents, I 

 know not but this estimate may be higher than what would result 

 in practice. Some indeed may think that because the arranii^ement 

 provides a double action and because it has somewhat of a mill-like 

 form, it ouiiht to do more work than the simple unartificial Bhowrie. 

 It should be considered that the circumference of the mill-track oc- 

 casions an additional space of ground to be passed over, and that 

 the force of traction on a horizontal plane is far less than down a 

 slope. If therefore the performance at all equals that of a Bhowrie, 

 the arrangement ought to be considered good, and the machine un- 

 objectionable. 



25. The fact is that both the Bhowrie and Pickotta are con- 

 :itructed on principles of the soundest science. They exemplify the 

 finest adaptation of means to the end ; of the application of animal 

 strength to the production of mechanical power. They are, it is true, 

 m construction, simplicity itself; but with all our science they leave 

 very far behind our common applications of animal pov^^er to the 

 production of mechanical effect. Simplicity as contradistinguished 

 from complexity, is the perfection of science. What can be simpler 

 in principle than the expansion of mercury and water by heat, and 

 what, as applied to practical and scientific purposes, is more beau- 

 tiful, or more efficient than the barometer and Steam Engine ?— A 

 bullock walks down an inclined plane and by a rope passing over a 

 pulley raises up a bucket of water far heavier than he could raise by 

 mere muscular effort. Multiply wheels and levers and complicated 

 apparatus as much as you please, and you will never make the bul- 

 lock perform more work than by his simple rope and bucket;— you 

 may enable him by the intervention of machinery to raise a load a 

 thousand times heavier, but he will be a thousand times longer in 

 raising it, and you superadd the friction of the machine, which, in 

 complicated engines, is not a trifle. The same principles applies, 

 whether you have two wheels or five hundred. The ultimate effect, 

 in the same space of time will and must be less than that wherein 



