The Chaos.

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Chap. X.

Of some mechanical Experiments.

T Here are some Experiments that are witty and not to be despised, and are doneby Simples without mixture, which I thought not unfit to communicate to in-genuous Men, an d Artificers. There is an A rt, called

'The flying Dragen y

or the Comet: Iris made thus; Make a quadrangle of the small pieces of Reeds, thatthe length may be to the breadth, one and half inproportion ; put in two Diameterson the opposite parts, or Angles, where they cut one the other, bind it with a Smallcord, and of the fame bigness, let iibejoyped withtwo others that proceed fromthe heads oftheEngine.Then cover it with paper or thin linnen, that there be no bur-den to weigh upon it: then from the top of a Tower, or some high place, send it outwhere the wind is equal and uniform, not in to great winds, lest they break theworkmanship, nor yet to small, for if the wind be still, it will not carry it up, andthe weak wind makes it less labour. Let it not stye right forth, but obliquely, whichis effected by a cord that comes from one end to the other, and by the long talewhich you shall make of cords of equal distance, and papers tied unto them: so beinggently let forth, it is to be guided by the Artificers hand, who must not move itidly or sluggishly , but forcibly ; so this Hying Sayle flies into the aifc When it israised a little (for here the wind is broken by the windings of the houses) you canhardly guide it, or hold it w ith your bands. Seme place a Lanthorn upon it, that itmay shew like a Comet: others put a Cracker of paper, wherein Gun-power i? roled,and when it is in the air, by the cord there is sent in a light match, by a ring or something that will abide; this presently flies to the Sayle, and gives fire to the mouth ofit, and the Engine with a thundring noise, flies into many parts, and falls to theground. Others bind a Cat or Whelp,and so they hear cries in the air. Hence mayan ingenuous Man take occasion, to consider how to make a man stye, by huge wingsbound to his elbows and breast; but he must from his childhood, by degrees, use tomove them, always in a higher place. If any man think this a wonder, let him con-sider what is reported, that Archjtas the Pythagorean did. For many cf the NobleGreeks, and Favorinw the Philosopher, the^ greatest searcher cut of Antiquities,haveWritten affirmatively, that the frame of a Pigeon made in wood, was formed by Ar-ckjtasyb'j some art, and made to flic ; it was so balanced in the air by weights, andmoved by an aircal Spirit feut within it.

Soli Deo

FINIS