The Pneumatics of Hero of Alexandria (1589) - Page 21

nor in the closing, for by force of opening the doors, it will pull the rope, the extremity of the ruler X. Which, turning on the pivot O, will submerge the stifler original: "suffocatorio"; likely a device to dampen or suppress air into the water and will make the trumpet sound. This is because the air that will be driven into it by the moisture through the dodoneo a funnel-like intake component and the lingula a tongue-shaped valve or flap, as is easily understood from the example written below.

A technical diagram illustrates a pneumatic and mechanical system. A rope passes over a pulley labeled P and is attached to a lever labeled X that pivots on a point O. The lever is connected to a vertical pipe labeled N leading to a vent labeled M on a vessel labeled A, B, C, D, E, L, K. To the right is a representation of two cabinet-like doors with hinges.

A VESSEL, IN WHICH WINE AND WATER INFUSED AND SEPARATED FROM ONE ANOTHER CAN BE HAD AT ONE'S PLEASURE, SOMETIMES PURE WINE, SOMETIMES PURE WATER.

Theor. XVIII.

Let there be a vessel A.B.C. in which there are two bottoms D.H. and F.G. In each of these, place the perforated pipe H.K., diligently soldered into each of these bottoms. In this pipe, make a hole L, a little bit above the bottom F.G. But below the bottom D.H., make an air vent M in the body of the vessel. Everything being thus arranged and the vent C plugged, pour wine into the vessel. It will fill the space between the two diaphragms D.H. and F.G. through the hole L because the air that will be in it will exit through the vent M. When this is plugged with a finger, the wine that will be in D.E.F.G. will stop in it and will not be able to exit. When water is poured into the part of the vessel A.B.D.H., while keeping the vent M closed, only pure water will come out. With that vent open, since there is water in the upper part, upon tipping the vessel, mixed water and wine will come out, and after all the water has come out, then pure

wine will come out. Although with the opening and closing of the vent, one can make diverse effusions, it is much better to first put water in the part D.E.F.G. and, while closing the vent, pour wine into the other part. Then, at our pleasure, it will come out upon tipping, sometimes mixed wine, sometimes pure, as many times as we ourselves please.

A detailed engraving of an ornate, classical pitcher or urn resting on a tiered circular base. The handle is sculpted into the shape of a bird or creature. The vessel is shown in cross-section to reveal internal mechanical components: several vertical and horizontal pipes labeled with letters (A, B, H, M, C, D, L, K, I, X, O, P, R, S, T), and internal liquid levels.

OF THE CUP PLACED UPON A BASE, IF THE WINE WITH WHICH IT IS FILLED IS DRAWN FROM IT, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY RETURN OF ITS OWN ACCORD TO FILL ITSELF.

Theor. XIX.

Let there be a vessel A.B. whose mouth is sealed at the edges of the neck with a diaphragm C.D., diligently sealed and closed, through which passes the pipe E.F. This pipe should not reach the bottom, but be a little distance from it. Let the other pipe G.H. pass through the bottom, and let it be a little distance from the diaphragm C.D. After this, let the bottom be perforated at K, and place the pipe K.L. in it. The base upon which the vessel A.B. must rest should be M.N.X.O. In this base, let there be the overflow of the pipe G.H., and in the lower part, the cup P.R. But through the base M.N.X.O., place the bent pipe S.T. which is perforated with the base, the foot, and the bottom of the cup. And the height of the cup