574 
sand years, and the variations in the ob- 
liquity of the ecliptic, the period of which 
is still slower, contributes to produce 
Variations in this zone; and supposing 
even that we had observations equally 
ancient, it would still be necessary to 
render them applicable, that the surface 
of the earth, the seas, and the moun- 
tains, which are not less essential ele- 
ments of this phenomenon, should not 
have changed during this interval. 
AI. Dupont admits that electricity also 
New Patents lately enrolled. 
(Jan. 1, 
contributes to produce variations in the 
weather, in consequence of forming wae 
ter by the combustion of hydrogen gaz. 
But though at present it appears esta- 
blished that this gaz exists not in the space 
where storms originate, yet M. Dupont 
supposes that it is brought thither, from 
the highest regions during the prevalence 
of tempests, the violence of which dis- 
turbs the regular order of the atmosphe- 
ric strata. 
NEW PATENTS LATELY ENROLLED. 
Re 
EARL STANHOPE’S (LONDON), for certain 
Improvements respecting the Form, 
Construction, and Manner of Building 
and fitting out Ships, §c. for the Pur- 
pose of Navigation, and diminishing the 
Danger occasioned by Submarine Bombs, 
Carcasses or Explosions. 
N the first place, the object of my said 
invention (says his lordship) is to con- 
struct ships and vessels which, as far as it 
is in the nature of things possible, shall 
unite the maximum of advantages with 
the minimum of disadvantages, and espe- 
cially with respect to the following, 
amongst other, important properties; 
viz. That ships and vessels constructed 
agreeably to my said invention, shall be 
capable of sailing very fast, on every 
point on which ships in general usually 
sail; and shall likewise (when properly 
rigged) be capable of sailing very near 
the wind, and of weathering most admi- 
rably. That ships and vessels construct- 
ed agreeably to my said invention shall 
ride very easy at anchor, shall be uncom- 
monly lively in a rough sea, and also ina 
head sea; and shall be what is techni- 
cally called excellent sea-boats. That 
ships and vessels constructed agreeably 
to my said invention shall have the valua- 
ble property of drawing much less water 
than is usual for such ships or vessels as 
are of the same number of tons respec- 
tively, and as are at the same time good 
sea-boats. It is a very important fact 
that the resistance of water increases 
gradually and regularly as the depth of 
the water increases, although in a less ra- 
pid ratio. So that the minimum of resist- 
ance to the progressive motion of ships and 
vessels cannot be obtained, except upon 
the principle of their being so constructed 
as not to descend into that part of the fluid 
where the unalterable law respecting 
fluids would render the resistance so much 
more considerable than at a more mode- 
rate depth. To construct ships and ves- 
sels of a small draught of water, with the 
maximum of advantages, is a high and 
important problem, which never has heen 
solved, to the best of my knowledge or 
belief, by any other person; but which I 
have endeavoured to solve, and I trust 
successfully. When the draught of wa- 
ter is unnecessarily great, it is highly disad- 
vantageous in an immense variety of re- 
spects. The object of my said invention 
is also that ships and vessels constructed 
agreeably thereto shall have the excellent 
property of making less lee-way than 
other ships or vessels of the same draught 
of water; and shall have the lateral re- 
sistance to the lee-way more mechani- 
cally and more advantageously applied 
than in any other ships or vessels of any 
draught of water whatsoever; and shall 
moreover have the advantage of not be- 
ing made to heel by means of such late- 
ral resistance, as, in certain situations, 1s 
the case when keels are- used, which, 
from their nature, are always umscienti- 
fically placed too much below the centre 
of gravity of the ship or vessel. That 
ships and vessels constructed agreeably to 
my said invention shall, notwithstanding 
their comparatively small draught of wa- 
ter, have sufficient stability to carry pro- 
per sail: and that they shail roll and pitch 
less than ships or vessels of the common. 
construction. That ships and vessels con- 
structed agreeably to my said invention 
shall be capable of keeping a true and 
steady course: and shall be capable of 
being, at pleasure, turned readily and ra- 
pidly out of their course, by means of the 
rudder, or by means of the gills herein 
after mentioned to be used for that pur- 
pose; and shall also be capable of com- 
ing 
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