480 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
ever again forget them, and by the aid of the accompanying diagrams any 
soldier may be converted into a skilled signalman in a few minutes, and 
whenever he sees the. signal vane he can immediately name the numeral 
indicated by asking himself the question, “ What's o'clock ?" I have said 
the numeral indicated, but it will be observed there are twelve signs, 
which need not all be used; they are only there if wanted; and it is 
thought that XI. and XII. will be found useful.* 
Such being the system, the signal vane is constructed as follows:—The 
“Handbook for Field Service" (p. 346), states that cones with 2ft. base 
and 4 ft. side transmit signals five miles with great rapidity and facility, 
and this is the size adopted for field service in the army. If this be the 
case, a vane of the same dimensions should also be visible at the same 
distance. (To make it more conspicuous, I would attach a small disc to 
the tail of the cone, to avoid its termination in a mere point). 
The vane can assume three cardinal positions in each quarter of the 
circle, viz. 
1. One side may be vertical. 
2. One side may be horizontal. 
3. Both sides may be inclined to the horizon. 
There is nothing more remarkable than the facility with which the eye can 
recognise the vertical or horizontal position of a line or straight-edge, and 
if one of the sides of the vane be placed either vertical or horizontal (as 
hereafter provided for), the fact will be at once recognised by the observer. 
From this it will follow that the negative of this assertion will be equally 
true. If the sides be neither vertical nor horizontal, they must be inclined, 
and therefore the three cardinal positions can be identified and named. 
The ordinary signal is of course intended for use in one direction, but if 
seen from the rear it may still be interpreted, for it will then indicate a number 
which, with the proper number, will make the number 13. Thus, if 4 be indi¬ 
cated to the front, the same signal will be read 9 when seen from the rear, 
and may be interpreted at leisure. In like manner, 8 to the front will be 
Fig. 2. 
report what he sees, leaving it to the responsible officer to interpret the 
sign. I would indicate the proper front by some conventional sign, as in 
* A reference to Fig. 1 will show that three additional signals are available for special me — 
such as Attention, Affirmative, and Negative. 
