181 
Description of a Water Wheel, 
First, — In common water-wheels more than half the 
water passes from the gate through the wheels without 
giving it any assistance. 
Secondly, — The floats coming out of the tail-water 
are resisted with almost the whole weight of the at- 
mosphere, at the instant they leave the surface of the 
water. 
Thirdly, — The same quantity of water which passed 
between the floats at the head, must of course pass be- 
tween them at the tail, and consequently impede the mo- 
tion of the wheel. 
In the water-wheel of my invention, 
First, — No water can pass but what acts, with all its 
force, on the extremity of the wheel. 
Secondly,— The floats coming out of the water in an 
oblique direction, prevent the weight of the atmosphere 
from taking any effect. 
Thirdly, — Although the new water-wheel is heavier 
than that on the old construction, yet it runs lighter on 
its axis, the water having a tendency to float it. 
Fourthly, — By experiments made with the models, 
proofs have been shown, that the new wheel has many 
advantages over the common wheel, and that, when it 
works in deep tail water, it will carry weights in propor- 
tion of three to one, so that it will be particularly service- 
able for tide-mills. 
I hope on trial, before the Society, my invention will 
prove successful, and am, &c. 
J. Besant. 
No. 26, Brompton. 
To Charles Taylor, Secretary. 
Repeated experiments of the above invention were 
made by the Committee ; from the result of which it ap- 
