Water Telescopes | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 6, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 42.

Water Telescopes.

To ANY one who is fond of observing living fish, and other forms of subaqueous animal life in their wild state, one of the daily papers commends the use of the water telescope. This efficacious and cheaply-made instrument is not used so much in this country as its merits deserve. The Norwegian fishermen are constantly in the habit of employing it in their herring and cod fisheries, and often thereby discover shoals of fish that would otherwise escape their nets. On the surface of the water in the sea, and also most rivers, there is generally a ripple, which prevents the bottom being seen; it is to get rid of this ripple that the water glass is so useful. There are three forms of water glass—namely, an ordinary bucket or barrel with the bottom knocked out; secondly, a piece of tin of a funnel shape, about three feet long and nine inches in diameter at the broad (or bottom) end, and large enough at the top to accommodate the observer's eyes; into the broad end should be inserted a plate of strong glass and some lead to weigh it down; thirdly, the simplest way is to get a tin or zinc tube like a map-case. This should be about three feet long and three inches in diameter. The bottom of this also should have glass and be weighted. When the water is clear, this instrument will enable the observer to see from three to twenty fathoms on calm, bright days. Of course, when the water is thick, the glass is useless.

To the naturalist they will be invaluable, as by means of them the actions of the fishes and other inhabitants of the ocean can be observed better than in any aquaria. The beauties and luxurious growth of the submarine forests of sea plants will also to many be a most novel and interesting spectacle. This glass would be most useful for fishing parties. When a deep place in the river has been baited up for the afternoon and evening fishing, the ground may be viewed with the water telescope.—Mastery.