172 
REAPING MACHINE. 
Reaping car- “ f In that part of Gaul where there are plains, the inhabi- 
the^GauSn^ tants e a method of reaping, which greatly economises the 
the plain coun- labour of men, and by which a single ox can get in all the bar- 
try, described. vest. For this purpose, they make use of a machine drawn 
upon two small wheels, the square surface of which is furnished 
with planks inclining outward, in such a manner tnattheyrender 
the upper part much larger than the lower. The plank in 
front is not so high as the others. On this board are placed in 
one row, a number of teeth, the distance of which is regulated 
by the size of the car, and of which the upper extremities are 
recurved. 
tf ‘ At the back of this car are two short pieces of wood like 
the poles of a litter. An ox is there harnessed with his head 
turned towards the car, sufficiently broken in to obey the 
driver. 
Method of “ ‘ As soon as the latter directs the carriage amongst the corn, 
leaping, the ears become entangled between the teeth, and are collected 
iathe receptacle, being separated from the straw, which remains 
upon the field. The driver who follows the ox regulates the de- 
gree of elevation of the machine according to the height of the 
wheat. In this manner, in a few hours, by going and returning 
a few times, the harvest is soon finished. This method cannot 
be used but in level countries, and where the straw is not 
wanted.’ ” 
The explanation of the drawing I have made, according to 
summo reddant spatia largiora. Ab ejus fronte carpenti brevior est 
altitude tabularum. Ibi denticuli plurimi, ac ran ad spicarum raensu- 
rain, constituuntur in ordinem, ad snperiorem partem recurvi. A tergo 
verb ejusdem, vehiculi duo brevissimi* temones figurautur velut ami tes 
basternarum. Ibi bos eapite in veliiculnm verso, jugo aptatur et vin- 
culis, mansuetus sane, qui non modum compulsoris exedat. Hie ubi 
veliiculum per messes caepit impellere, omnis spica in carpentum den- 
ticulis comprehensa cumulatur, abrnptis ac relictis paleis, altitudinem 
vel humilitatem plerumque hubulco moderante, qui sequitur, et ita per 
paucos itus ac reditus, brevi horarum s’patio tota messis impletur. Hoc 
campestribus locis, vef aequalibus utile est, et iis quibus necessaria 
paleanon habetur. Lib. 7, 0 tit. 2 paq. 347 , edit Lugduni , anno 1535. 
Puq. 146, edit Biponti, anno 1687. 
* The shafts cannot be so short as the author says, brevitsimi le- 
mon s. They ought to exceed the length of the ox, in order that the 
driver, who is behind, may move theih without trouble or fatigue to. 
the animal. 
t© 
