The history of this development of the use of steam-power illustrates most perfectly that process of growth of this invention which has been already referred to; and we can here trace it, step by step, from the earliest and rudest devices up to those most recent and most perfect designs which represent the most successful existing types of the heat-engine--whether considered with reference to its design and construction, or as the highest application of known scientific principles--that have yet been seen in even the present advanced state of the mechanic arts. The paddle-wheel was used as a substitute for oars at a very early date, and a description of paddle-wheels applied to vessels, curiously illustrated by a large wood-cut, may be found in the work of Fammelli, "De l'artificioses machines," published in old French in 1588. Clark[58] quotes from Ogilby's edition of the "Odyssey" a stanza which reads like a prophecy, and almost awakens a belief that the great poet had a knowledge of steam-vessels in those early times--a thousand years before the Christian era. The prince thus addresses Ulysses: [58] "Steam and the Steam-Engine." "We use nor Helm nor Helms-man. Our tall ships Have Souls, and plow with Reason up the deeps; All cities, Countries know, and where they list, Through billows glide, veiled in obscuring Mist; Nor fear they Rocks, nor Dangers on the way." Pope's translation[59] furnishes the following rendering of Homer's prophecy: [59] "Odyssey," Book VIII., p. 175. "So shalt thou instant reach the realm assigned, In wondrous ships, self-moved, instinct with mind; ... Though clouds and darkness veil the encumbered sky, Fearless, through darkness and through clouds they fly. Though tempests rage, though rolls the swelling main, The seas may roll, the tempests swell in vain; E'en the stern god that o'er the waves presides, Safe as they pass and safe repass the tide, With fury burns; while, careless, they convey Promiscuous every guest to every bay." It is stated that the Roman army under Claudius Caudex was taken across to Sicily in boats propelled by paddle-wheels turned by oxen. Vulturius gives pictures of such vessels. This application of the force of steam was very possibly anticipated 600 years ago by Roger Bacon, the learned Franciscan monk, who, in an age of ignorance and intellectual torpor, wrote: "I will now mention some wonderful works of art and nature, in which there is nothing of magic, and which magic could not perform. Instruments may be made by which the largest ships, with only one man guiding them, will be carried with greater velocity than if they were full of sailors," etc., etc.