Theatre of Instruments and Machines

DECLARATION.
PROP. XLIX.

Again, another firm form of hydraulic machine, by which, through the principle of the lever and counterweight, by drawing and pushing with the artifice of valves, water is conducted so high that it cannot be drawn higher by manual labor.

Declaration of the 49th figure.

Diligently note here that the same balance-beam consists of a double arm and that the form of the lever is similar to the upper one of which we spoke in the preceding figure, and that the cause of the motion is a counterweight. In the north, therefore, are the balance-beam and the tube; the fulcrum of the balance-beam is to the west, in whose western part is a chain, the last part of which is carried to the south where there is a barrel, into which enters a weight tied to the chain. The barrel is moved so that the motion of the weight is free in a circle. It is compelled, however, by two fulcrums so that the weight is not carried this way and that. Then, from the first part of the balance-beam, its other part is extended toward the east, at the end of which is a cord pulled by a man to effect motion. Again, from the ring of this newest part of the balance-beam hang three poles, two of which are led to the outer lever, and one is the pole of the tube by whose work water is drawn; the end of the lever is distant 19 p. from the meridian line and 1 p. 16 p. from the western one, where there is a pin around which it revolves. That pin, however, is not fixed but movable, just like the one that is also opposed to it. There are two other lateral pins so that the windlass may be moved, in whose southern part is an arm whose end is on the eastern beam; that arm enters a tube in which there is a square valve, just as two are depicted separately in the 47th figure. Now, the things that pertain to the rest are clear, for the weight assists, and the valve fills the lower tube with water, from which the supplied water is drawn upward. Everything will now be clear from the appearance of the figure; but if you ask what the rod sitting on the weight means, it is for retaining the motion of the weight.

PROP. L.

A new composition of machinery in which a wheel equipped with vanes, driven by the impulse of winds blowing from all sides under the roof of a tower, extracts water from a low place to the highest altitude.

Declaration of the 50th figure.

In this figure, the subtlety is that the wheel turning this way or that always supplies water, but the painter omitted the gutters or wooden channels that ought to have been near the upper drum, into which the waters are poured, for they are poorly described here lower down to the east; but let us see the parts specifically. Higher up to the north is a wheel equipped with vanes, resting on two hinges so that it may be moved freely as the wind blows, on whose axis is another smaller toothed wheel in such a way that it moves the drum, as is seen in common mills. On the axis of the drum is another smaller drum in which are parallel radii like an iron gear. There is also another drum at the bottom of the well, similar to it and movable, and around these two is an endless chain on which cups are fixed oppositely so that with any motion, one is always filled with water. The rest are clear to everyone who has understood what I have said.

PROP. LI.

A perennial Aeolian fountain with musical harmony and celestial motion, both also perennial, and whatever else it may please to apply.

Declaration of the 51st figure.

It must be understood that water cannot spontaneously be raised to a higher place than that from which it originates. In this fountain, the things that are to the south are common, but the rest are not; it is pleasing to state the reason for some of these. Higher to the north are painted wind heads that emit water by their blowing; so that this may happen, water must be brought from a higher place, and many holes must be made in the mouth of these heads so that by the motion of the instrument accommodated to it, water may be ejected, then to the motion of the hours, if water is poured forth from the channels.