This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ...the water, from their extreme mobility, would transmit this in all directions; the extra pressure per square inch being divided equally throughout the mass, would re-act against the total atmospheric pressure, causing the latter to yield; the general level of the water will rise from the additional quantity running in, and this will continue until there is an equilibrium of pressure per square inch between the water in the pipe, pressing on the surface of the water in the well, and the pressure of the atmosphere. A comparison of the relative weights of water and air would appear to warrant our placing the sucker of a pump at a greater height above the surface of the water in the well than is usually adopted in practice; but the imperfections of the different parts of the machinery do not admit of its ever being carried beyond from 25 to 28 feet at the utmost. Forcing pumps are used when the height to which the water has to be raised exceeds the above limits, and they may be of two kinds, viz. pumps in which the column of water which has already passed through the piston is lifted by it, or pumps which have valves at the feet of their rising mains, through which the water is forced at the down-stroke of the piston. At great depths the former description is never employed, because it would be necessary to lift the whole column of water at the up-stroke of the pump. When the latter is used, it is customary to combine the suction and the forcing principles as far as possible, in order to diminish the weight to be raised. Generally speaking, 4he suction tube is placed immediately under the working part of the pump, in the same straight line, and the rising main is placed by the side. Sometimes, however, the pipes are made continuous, and the...