1884.] 
Dv. Meldon's Electric Motor . 39 
more,, and so on, using of course a larger number of cells 
than is absolutely required. 
It is to be regretted that, owing to the small size of the 
launch, the battery, which was placed in the forward portion 
of the boat, eighteen cells being arranged on each side, oc- 
cupied so much space that there was only room left for four 
persons to sit with any degree of comfort, and consequently 
he was obliged to abandon the idea of working his motor 
with a battery, but, judging by the aCtual results obtained, 
he is confident that with two storage cells of an accumu- 
lator he could easily obtain a speed of over 11 miles an 
hour. 
The advantages claimed for the motor over a dynamo 
are ~ Is t* Only one-tenth of the battery-power is required to 
obtain a single horse-power. 2nd. As there is no dead centre 
it will start instantly, and there is therefore no loss of power. 
31 d. 1 he whole force of the battery passes into one magnet 
at a time, so that very little power is required. It should 
be lemembered that the launch Electricity had forty-five 
accumulators of the latest type on board, which were calcu- 
lated to supply power for six hours at the rate of four horse- 
power, the mean speed obtained having been 9 miles an hour. 
Dr. Meldon s had only thirty-six cells, and did a mile in 
seven minutes, and it should be noted that the battery was 
nearly exhausted when this trial took place. 
Dr. Meldon’s object in consenting to the publication of 
these details of his motor is twofold : — First, to place upon 
record an account of his original experiments for the benefit 
of those who aie interested in the subject of electricity as a 
motive power ; and secondly, to receive any practical sug- 
gestions which the readers of this brief description of his 
important invention may be disposed to send to him. The 
magnets were supplied by Mr. Henshaw, of Christchurch 
Place, Dublin ; the ironwork by Messrs. Booth Brothers, of 
Stephen Street ; and the commutators by Messrs. Curtis and 
Son, of Abbey Street, same city. 
