This book is a thorough description of water wheels from the engineering standpoint. Early turbines like the Fourneyron, Fontaine, and others are also covered in this book. Originally published in 1869, this engineering text was used at the School of Civil Engineers in Paris. The translation was done by Lieutenant F. A. Mahan of the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Amongst the topics covered are: preliminary ideas of hydraulic motors, water wheels with a horizontal axle, water wheels with vertical axles, turbines, machines for raising water, spiral noria, and pumps.