In discussions respecting the character of the curve by which the vibrations of white light may be expressed, I have often felt the want of some ready, even if rough, method of compounding several prescribed simple harmonic motions. Any number of points on the resultant can of course always be calculated and laid down as ordinates; but the labour involved in this process is considerable. The arrangement about to be described was exhibited early in the year during lectures at the Royal Institution. As it is inexpensive to construct and easily visible to an audience, I have thought that such a description might be useful, accompanied with a few specimens of curves actually drawn with its aid.

A wooden batten, say 1 inch square and 5 feet long, is so mounted horizontally as to be capable of movement only along its length. For this purpose it suffices to connect two points near the two ends, each by means of two thin metallic wires, with four points symmetrically situated in the roof overhead. This mounting, involving four constraints only, allows also of a rotatory or rolling motion, which could be excluded, if necessary, by means of a fifth wire attached to a lateral arm. In practice, however, this provision was not used or needed. The movement of the batten along its length is controlled by a piece of spring-steel against which the pointed extremity of the batten is held by rubber bands.