Show 1 of the water clock aa far back as C a chinaman named allwang tl discovered the principle of the water clock or clepsydra it was u very rude instrument chiefly for astronomical purposes and was committed to of an officer known the it consisted of two copper vels one above and one below the former having a hole in the bottom through which the water percolated into the latter chero thero was a float the gradual rise 6 which indicated periods of time portable contrivances of this description were sometimes carried on horae back instruments constructed en the came principle were in use among the Chal deans and egyptians at an early period the in in western asia was independent of that in tho debt both being the result of similar wants clepsydras were subsequently formed of a series of vessels communicating muni cating by tubes passin fi through figures of dragons and other images the whole being rendered yet more ornamental by floats held between the bands of boston globe |