holding them. The Recorder seeing my wonder explained that they were held in position by what are known as earth attractors placed in the vessels' bottoms. "In very small ships," he said, "there is one, but in vessels of the size we now see there are five such instruments. A very powerful attractor is placed right in the centre, and holds the vessel to the earth, by what I might by way of illustration describe as innumerable invisible cords or lines of attraction. When held by the central attractor the vessel may be swung round, but when the other four (two of which are placed near the bow and two near the stern) are brought into action, the vessel remains perfectly stationary. So powerful are those invisible cables, that no hurricane can shift her when once she is thus moored. The seas may wash over her decks, but can do her no harm, as in such weather all openings are securely covered in. How absurd it appears to us now to read of your chains and your cables, your anchors and other contrivances that were of no
