4 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
dimensions that the construction and manipulation of the appa- 
ratus would be impossible. 
The author next proceeds to state that The law of surface, 
in inverse ratio to weight, would naturally tend to lead us to 
this conclusion — viz., that the heaviest-winged animal, having 
the least surface, ought in return to possess the greatest force.” 
M. de Lucy then proceeds to disprove this assumption, by 
showing, that the muscular force of insects is much greater 
than that of birds, and he adduces various well-known instances 
in proof of his assertion. Upon the supposition that his facts, 
and the theory founded on them, are correct, it will be a fair 
hypothesis to assume that where large wing-surface is given to 
insects, the provision is accompanied by the relative power to 
control it, in compensation for absence of weight, which we 
have seen is during descent a power of itself, and is taken ad- 
vantage of by some birds, in gliding, or soaring against a breeze. 
For such purposes, weight is a necessity, and therefore we never 
see any similar method of flight in the winged insect tribe. 
Amidst the variety of contending theories, which have ever 
clothed the subject of aviation with mystery, it seemed most 
desirable to descend to the quieter field of practical effort, and 
to test the experience of those few and isolated workers, who, 
distributed about the civilised earth, had put their ideas into 
recognisable shape. 
It was desired to ascertain, as the foundation of future pro- 
ceedings, to what extent knowledge had been acquired, and 
applied, and at one collective glance, to review the whole 
question of aeronautics, as a 'point cVappui for further efforts. 
The limited publication of this intention, on behalf of the 
Aeronautical Society, produced a large correspondence from all 
parts of the world, and also a notification of many intended 
exhibitors, who had reduced their theories into practice, but, and 
in proof how much the study of aeronautics has been pursued by 
persons of limited means, many were deterred from taking part 
in the exhibition from considerations of pecuniary outlay. The 
Aeronautical Society itself partakes of this disadvantage, and 
labours hard against a tide which has been flowing for a long 
period, but which, owing to the Society's persistent efforts, and 
the practical character of its discussions, may be said to have 
reached its ebb, so that henceforward it may run with the 
stream of Lopular Science. 
The first recorded and scientifically based attempt to connect 
f»laiie surface, and weight, in relative proportion to one another, 
w;is that of wliidi all the world was cognizant in 1842, patented 
Ijy Henson. The plan resulted from conversation between 
li'Tison anrl Stringfellow at the residence of the latter-named 
gentleman in Chard, Somerset. Sliould any one reading Astra 
