The Washington times., 1901-10-06

tanned.
1T is observed that a barrel or cap,
whose cavity will contain eight cubic
feet of air viii not serve Diver for
respiration above one-quarter of an
hour; the breath which is often sucked
in and out, being so corrupted by the
mixture of vapors that nature rejects 1t
as unserviceable. Now in an hour a
man will need at least $50 respirauons,
betwixt every one Of which there shall
be l0-second minutes, and consequently
d great change and supply of air Will De
necessary for many persons, and a long
space.
And so likewise for the keeping of
fire, a close Vessel containing 10 cubical
feet of air will not suffer a wax candle
of an ounce to burn in it above an hour
before it be suffocated, though this pro-
portion (saith Mersennus) doth not
equally increase for several lights. be-
cause four flames of an equal magni-
tude will be kept alive the space OF 10
second minutes, though one of these
flames alone in the same Vessel will not
last above % or at most 80 seconds,
which may easily be tried in large glass
bottles, having wax candles lighted in
them, and with their mouths inverted
in water. For the resolution of this
difficulty, though, will not say that
man may by custome (Which in other
things doth produce such strange, in
credible effectsl, be inabled to live in
the open water as the fishes do, the in
spiration and expiration of water serv-
ing instead of air this being usual with
many fishes that have lungs; yet it is
certain that long use and custome may
strengthen men against many such in
conveniences OF this kind, which TO un-
experienced persons may prove hazard
these so necessary, to have the air for
breathing so pure and desecated as is
required for others.
But further, there are in this case
these three things considerable:
Il. That the Vessel itself should be
of large capacity, that as the air in
it shall be corrupted in one part, so it
shall be purified and renewed in the
other; or, if the mere refrigeration of
the air would fit it for breathing, this
might be somewhat helped with the
bellows, which would cool it in motion.
80. II is not altogether improbable,
that the lamps or fires in the middle of
it, like the reflected beams in the first
Religion. rarefying the air and the cir
coldness toward the sides
of the Vessel, like the second Religion,
cooling and condensing of it, would
make such a vicissitude and change of
air as might fit ii for all its proper uses.
80 Or, if neither of these conjectures
will help, yet Mersennus tells us in an
other place"-Mersennus must have
been a great help to all the heavy
dreamers in the old days-"tiiat there
is in France one Barrieus, a Diver who
hath lately found out another art,
a man might easily continue
under water for six hours together, and
10 cubical feet of air will not
serve another Diver to breathe in for
half an hour, he, by the help of a cavi-
ty not above one or two feet at the
most, will have breath enough for six
hours, and a lanthorn scarce above the
usual size to keep a candle burning as
long as a man please. which df it be
true. and were commonly known might
be sufficient help against this great diff
ficulty.
"As for the many advantages and
of such a contrivance it is
not easy to recite them.
81 'Tis private; a man may thus go
to any coast Of the world invisibly,
without being discovered or prevented
IN his journey.
"2. 'Tis safe; from the uncertainty of
Tides and the violence of the Tempests,
which do never move the sea above five
IT six feet deep. From Pirates and
Robbers which do so infest other voy-
Iges. From ice and great frosts which |
10 so endanger the passages toward the |
Poles.
20. 1t may be of very great advantage |
lgainst a Navy of enemies. who by this |
means may be undermined in the water |
md blown up.
"A. 1t may be of special use for the re-
ief of any place that is besieged by |
water. to convey unto them invisible |
supplies; and so likewise for the sur
prisal OF any place that is accessible by |
water.
'5 1t may be of unspeakable benefit |
'or submarine experiments and discov-
cries; as
THE several proportions of swiftness |
oetwixt the ascent of a bladder. cork,
Or any other light substance in com |
oarison to the descent of stones or lead. |
rhe deep caverns and subterraneous
passages where the sea water in the |
course Of its circulation doth vent itself
nto other places, and the like. The ma
.ure and kinds Of fishes, the several
rts of catching them by alluring lights,
,y placing divers nets about the sides
If the vessel. shooting the greater sort |
If them with guns, which may be put |
,ut of the ship by the help of such
,ags as were mentioned before, with |
iivers the like artifices and treacheries, |
which may be more successfully prac-
Iced by such who live SO familiarly to-
sether These fish may serve not only |
Tor food. but for fuel also, in respect of |
that oil which may be extracted from |
men, the way OF dressing meat by the |
amps, being in many respects the most |
for such a voyage
THE many fresh springs that may be |
met with in the bottom of the sea will |
serve for the supply of drink and other |
occasions.
But above all the discovery of sub |
marine treasures is more especially con-
siderable, not only in regard to what |
lath been drowned by wrecks, but the |