The herald., 1897-03-28
Paris savants. They have been perfect
ing 1t since 1898.

Paris savants. They have been perfect
ing it since 1893
The balloon which makes the ascent
Is called the aerophile. 1t is conical in
shape. This remark refers to the bal
loon itself-that portion which contains
the gas-which is of the ordinary va
riety. 1t is almost sharp pointed at one
end, while the other is formed of stee,
cap which fits over an aperture through
which the gas passes from the retort
into the receiver when the balloon is in
process of being filed. 1t will be OBJ
served by reference to the accompany
ing illustration that the central portion
of the lower exterior of the gas reser-
voir Is not covered by the netting which
usually envelops the greater portion OF
the balloon, The dark surface is formed
of vulcanized rubber, and in the center
of this Is a wheel something like that
with which the rooms in modern build
ings are ventilated, or like the damper
in the stovepipe, also in the form of Il
wheel, which when turned leaves visible
several apertures.
This wheel is for releasing the gas
which makes the balloon buoyant, when
the aerophile reaches the ground 1t
is believed that the relaxation of the
strain upon the silk is more even when
the gas Is allowed to rush out in this way
than IL 1t were released through the
same orifice into which 1t enters when
the filling process Is going on. Below
the reservoir hangs double platform
which looks not unlike the old fashioned
book case made of single boards with
holes in each end, through which cord
passes. In the front of the top section
or the platform Is an instrument which
registers the speed which the aerophile
Is making, while just back of it is
device called the meteorograph uniyer-
sal, which registers the changes in the
atmosphere. The dial which sets on the
TOP OF the machine in the center of the
higher platform registers the highest
point which the aerostat attains. while
the strip of heavy paper running from
the roller to the wheel in the rear, very
IKE the arrangement upon which the
STOCK ticker Is operated, contains the
record OF the different points reached
In the air, and the time elapsing be-
tween such points.
IN the rear of the platform and at
tacned . both sections Is the camera
Wnicn works automatically, taking the
most accurate photographs of atmos-
pheric scenes and conditions at differ
ent heights from the earth. This pho
tographic apparatus is in itself of great
interest as 1t Is the only sort known
The circul1r object which rests on tho
second section of the platform and re-
sembles the exterior Of gigantic fly
Wneel, contains the apparatus for Sc
curing specimens of air at different
heights. 1t also works automaticaIlS.
ana py means of connection with the
registering machine directly above It.
opens one OF series OF reservoirs It
contains at certain periods of elevation.
These reservoirs, when the aerophile
leaves the earth, are air-tiEht, and the
air has been entirely exhausted from
them before the ascent Is begun. There
fore. when reservoir Is opened at de-
sired hetyh. there Is nohing to mix with
the specimen Of air that rusbes into it.
The latest in this series of experiments
with the aerophile was made few DAYS
ago and resulted most successfully. The
aerophtle rose with extraordinary rapid
ity to an immense height, fully 10000
metres. Tbs. highest Temperature re-
corded was so degrees. The balloon re-
mained In the air two hours travelling
north north-one- quarter east, and tray
eled distance of 102 kilometres. All the
recording apparatus worked success
fully, and while the results have not
been definitely announced In all particu-
lars, they. in the minds OF many scien
tists estab blish the fact that the invent
ors have contended for-that the aero
stat will throw startling light on the
question of atmospheric disappearance.
The "aerophile," as the balloon has
been named, is sometimes sent aloft
merely arranged so that at certain