A, and the flanges, B, will help to keep the water on the rail.  Figs. 3, 4, and 5 show the shoe in detail.  Fig. 3 gives a longitudinal section, Fig. 4 is a plan, and Fig. 5 is a plan of the shoe inverted, showing the grooves in its face.  Fig. 3 shows the hollow shoe, into which water at a pressure of ten atmospheres is forced by a pipe from a tank on the tender.  The water enters by the pipe, C, and fills the whole of the chamber, D. The water attempts to escape, and in doing so lifts the shoe slightly, thus filling the first groove of the chamber.  The pressure again lifts the shoe, and the second chamber is filled; and so on, until ultimately the water escapes at the ends, E, and sides, F. Thus a film of water is kept between the shoe and the rail, and on this film the carriage is said to float.  The water runs away into the channels, H H (Fig. 6), and is collected to be used over again.  Fig. 3 also shows the means of supporting the carriage on the shoe by means of K, the point of support being very low.  The system of grooves on the lower face of the shoe is shown in Fig. 5.  So much for the means by which wheels are dispensed with, and the carriage enabled to slide along the line.

[Illustration:  FIG. 3.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 4.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 5.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 6.]

The next point is the method of propulsion.  Figs. 7 and 8 give an elevation and plan of one of the experimental carriages.  Along the under side of each of the carriages a straight turbine, L L, extends the whole length, and water at high pressure impinges on the blades of this turbine from a jet, M, and by this means the carriage is moved along.  A parabolic guide, which can be moved in and out of gear by a lever, is placed under the tender, and this on passing strikes the tappet, S, and opens the valve which discharges the water from the jet, M, and this process is repeated every few yards along the whole line.  The jets, M, must be placed at such a distance apart that at least one will be able to operate on the shortest train that can be used.  In this turbine there are two sets of blades, one above the other, placed with their concave sides in opposite directions, so that one set is used for propelling in one direction and the other in the opposite direction.  In Fig. 6 it is seen that the jet, M, for one direction is just high enough to act against the blades, Q, while the other jet is higher, and acts on the blades, P, for propulsion in the opposite direction.  The valves, R, which are opened by the tappet, S, are of peculiar construction, and we hope soon to be able to give details of them.  Reservoirs (Fig. 6) holding water at high pressure must be placed at intervals, and the pipe, T, carrying high pressure water must run the whole length of the line.  Fig. 6 shows a cross section of the rail and carriage, and gives a good idea of the general arrangements.  The absence of wheels and of greasing and lubricating arrangements