“It will be seen from this calculation that the new airship will still be at the mercy of the wind and weather. Those who pin their faith on the balloon as the only means of navigating the air may dispute my figures. However, all the factors in the equation are extremely simple and well known, and no one can dispute any of them except the assumed coefficient of resistance, which is given here as ·20. The writer feels quite sure that, after careful experiments are made, it will be found that this coefficient is nearer ·40 than ·20, especially so at high speeds when the air pressure deforms the gas-bag. Only a slight bagging in the front end of the balloon would run the coefficient up to fully ·50, and perhaps even more.”--_Times_, Feb. 26, 1908. [Illustration: Fig. 73.--The enormous balloon, “Ville de Paris,” of the French Government. This balloon is a beautiful piece of workmanship, and is said to be the most practical balloon ever invented, not excepting the balloon of Count Zeppelin. Some idea of its size may be obtained by comparing it with the size of the men who are standing immediately underneath.] Since writing the _Times_ article, a considerable degree of success has been attained by Count Zeppelin. According to newspaper accounts, his machine has a diameter of about 40 feet, and a length of no less than 400 feet. It appears that this balloon consists of a very light aluminium envelope, which is used in order to produce a smooth and even surface, give rigidity, and take the place of the network employed in ordinary balloons. It seems that the gas is carried in a large number of bags fitted in the interior of this aluminium envelope. However, by getting a firm and smooth exterior and by making his apparatus of very great length as relates to its diameter, he has obtained a lower coefficient of resistance than has ever been obtained before, and as his balloon is of great volume, he is able to carry powerful motors and use screw propellers of large diameter. It appears that he has made a circuit of considerable distance, and returned to the point of departure without any accident. A great deal of credit is, therefore, due to him. His two first balloons came to grief very quickly; he was not discouraged, but stuck to the job with true Teutonic grit, and has perhaps attained a higher degree of success than has ever been attained with a balloon. However, some claim that the French Government balloon, “La Patrie” is superior to the Zeppelin balloon at all points. When we take into consideration the fact that the Zeppelin machine is 400 feet long and lighter than the same volume of air, it becomes only too obvious that such a bulky and extremely delicate and fragile affair will easily be destroyed. Of course ascensions will only be made in very favourable weather, but squalls and sudden gusts of wind are liable to occur. It is always possible to start out in fine weather if one waits