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The Aeolipiles


The aeolipile is a small hollow globe of brass, or other metal, in

which a slender neck or pipe is inserted. This ball, when made

red-hot, is cast into a vessel of water, which will rush into its

cavity, then almost void of air. The ball being then set on the fire,

the water, by the rarefaction of the internal air, will be forced out

in steam by fits, with great violence, and with strange noise.



If to the necks of two or more of these balls, there be fitted those

calls that are used by fowlers and hunters, and the balls placed on

the fire, the steam rushing from them will make such a horrible noise,

that it will astonish any person who is ignorant of the contrivance.



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