The Pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria

...if water is poured into it) at times pure water will come out, at other times pure wine as well. 70
From a vessel full of wine, to draw from it through the channel in the measure that we please, how much, and how many times we see fit. 71
Of a vessel that has a channel near the bottom, with a smaller vessel underneath, outside of which, once as much wine as we please is drawn, to cause an equal amount to arrive into it through the channel of the large vessel. 72
To build the Treasure chest with the versatile bronze wheel, which people are accustomed to turn when entering sacred Temples, and to cause, upon the turning of the door of this wheel, one bird to turn, and another to sing, and once the door is closed or stopped while open, the bird neither turns nor sings anymore. 73
Some siphons placed in certain vessels express water until either the vessels are empty, or until the surface of the water reaches the level of the mouth of the siphons: but (if it is necessary) to ensure that they do not pour any more during the process. 74
Once a fire is lit upon an altar, to cause certain animals to turn around in the manner of a dance: but the altars must be transparent, either with glass or with very thin, pure bone. 75
To build an artificial lamp with oil inside, which, when it runs low, one may add as much as one pleases without an oil vessel. 76
To build the fire vessel called a Miliario a heating device or boiler, and to make air blow into the coals through the mouth of an animal, from which breath the fire burns; and also to cause the hot water not to come out if cold water has not first been placed in the Miliario, which, because it does not mix so quickly with the hot, will not express water until the cold water reaches the bottom. And to cause it to be expressed very cold. 77
Miliarii are also used with another device constructed to make trumpets sound and birds sing artificially. 80
To compose the Hydraulic Instrument. 81
To build an organ whose trumpets sound when the wind blows. 84
TO cause a Hercules to fight with a club against a Dragon that stands guard over the golden apples, and while he raises it, the Dragon hisses, and at the point that Hercules strikes it on the head, to cause it to spray water into his face. 88
To cause six rivers, or more, or fewer, to pour water from their skins into a large vessel, and in that water, let a Triton be hidden who, with speed, comes out of the waves and sounds a trumpet or conch shell, and while he sounds it, let the rivers cease to pour water, and as he returns to dive into the water, cause them to return again to pour water from the skins into the vessel, as if he commands them to cease running, and they stop while he is above the water, and once he has left, they no longer care for the commission given to them. 90
To cause, with the water of a single channel, one to see a forge boil, in which a blacksmith holds iron to boil, then turns and places it on the anvil, and immediately three other blacksmiths strike the said iron in turn, and every blow causes water to splash out, just as sparks fly from iron being beaten while hot. 93
To build a room in which, at the time that we please, a wind always blows that refreshes it, both little and much, according to our desire. 96
A way to make a water channel climb to the top of any high tower by the force of water. 98

A decorative woodcut flourish with symmetrical scrollwork and floral elements.

Ornate woodcut header border featuring classical scrolls, masks, and floral motifs.

P R E F A C E .

A decorative historiated initial 'I' depicting a garden or landscape with classical architecture in the background.THE Treatise on Spiritali Pneumatics/Spiritual forces was judged by ancient philosophers and mechanics as worthy of the greatest study, particularly by those who treated the reason and strength of this faculty, and also by those who considered their sensible actions. Therefore, we have judged it primarily necessary, wishing to treat of this faculty, to collect in an orderly fashion everything that was left on this subject by the Ancients, and also to set forth (in the best way possible) everything that has been discovered by us, so that those who wish to apply themselves to the Mathematical arts might be aided (as much as is possible) by them. Furthermore, considering that we find this Treatise consistent with that which we already described in four books concerning Water Clocks, we have made the decision to write it. For, by the conjunction of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth, and mostly of three elements, or perhaps even of all four, and by their mixing together, various dispositions are produced, some of which are most necessary for human use and living, and others which bring us a certain admiration full of indescribable wonder. But before we enter into that which we intend to say, it is necessary for us to dispute the Vacuo Void/Vacuum.

A decorative woodcut tailpiece featuring three grotesque masks within elaborate foliate scrolls.