ON TIMBER, See.

259

First, He shewed that a batten cut out «f a tree withthe hard fibres or eylindric hoops running through thedeepest part, and placed perpendicular to the horizon,would be stronger than a batten of the same size withthe hard fibres passing through horizontally or in oppo-site direction, as 8 is to 7, for the same reason that anassemblage of planks, set edgeways, will be stronger thanthe same number laid flat and piled on each other.

His next experiment was the trial of the strength often pieces of sound oak, 4 inches square, the third dayafter the said timber was cut down.

The first piece was 7 feet long, 4 by 4, weighed 56pounds, bore for the space of 22 minutes 5275 pounds,bent 4 inches and 5 parts of a hundred before it broke.

The second piece was the same size as the first, andweighed 60 pounds, bore for 29 minutes 5350 pounds,bent 3 inches and 5 parts of a hundred before it broke.

The third piece was 8 feet long, 4 by 4, weighed 63pounds, bore for 13 minutes 4500 pounds, bent 4 inchesand 7 parts of a hundred before it broke.

The fourth piece was the same size as the third, andweighed 68 pounds, bore for 15 minutes 4600 pounds,bent 3 inches and 75 parts of a hundred before it broke.

The fifth piece was 9 feet long, 4 by 4, weighed 71pounds, bore for 12 minutes 3950 pounds, bent 5 inchesand 5 parts of a hundred before it broke.

The sixth piece was the same size as the fifth, andweighed 77 pounds, bore for 14 minutes 4100 pounds,bent 4 inches and 85 parts of a hundred before it broke.

The seventh piece was 10 feet long, 4 by 4, weighed82 pounds, bore for 15 minutes 3600 pounds, bent 6inches and 5 parts of a hundred before it broke.