During the second quarter of a turn, such of the carrying claws as have
been allowed to recoil in the first, third, and fifth rows, are drawn up
by the fingers on the axes of the adjacent dials; and, during the fourth
quarter of a turn, such of the carrying claws on the second and fourth
rows as have been allowed to recoil during the third quarter of a turn,
are in like manner drawn up by the carrying fingers on the axes of the
adjacent dials. It appears that the carriages proceed alternately from
right to left along the horizontal rows during the second and fourth
quarters of a turn; in the one, they pass along the first, third, and
fifth rows, and in the other, along the second and fourth.
There are two systems of waves of mechanical action continually flowing
from the bottom to the top; and two streams of similar action constantly
passing from the right to the left. The crests of the first system of
adding waves fall upon the last difference, and upon every alternate one
proceeding upwards; while the crests of the other system touch upon the
intermediate differences. The first stream of carrying action passes
from right to left along the highest row and every alternate row, while
the second stream passes along the intermediate rows.
Such is a very rapid and general outline of this machinery. Its wonders,
however, are still greater in its details than even in its broader
features. Although we despair of doing it justice by any description
which can be attempted here, yet we should not fulfil the duty we owe to
our readers, if we did not call their attention at least to a few of the
instances of consummate skill which are scattered, with a prodigality
characteristic of the highest order of inventive genius, throughout this
astonishing mechanism.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account