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is attached to the wings, from tip to tip, and from thence taken 
to the tail, we should then have a comparatively loose surface, 
having no intermediate support but that afforded by the central 
shaft. Upon the waving of the wing arms we should then get 
a wave action longitudinally as well as laterally. 
This double action proving effective we might then have 
above us a cloud of canvas, supporting and propelling, and pre- 
senting an extent of surface that would look more like safety 
than anything which has hitherto come under my notice. To 
these advantages may be added the statement that for aerial 
transit it would be only necessary to clear obstructions, and that 
those highly-coloured pictures of so-called “ aerial machines,” 
66 up above the world so high,” do not represent faithfully our 
aspirations. 
I have now given the reasons for the ambitious hopes that 
some of us entertain, and I conclude with the expression of a 
desire that more minds may be directed to the attainment of 
our objects. 
