There is a kind of drinking horn, such that if wine be first poured into it, and then water, sometimes the water flows out unmixed, and sometimes the wine. The following is the construction.
Let A B C (fig. 18) be a drinking horn, furnished with
two partitions, D E and F G: through both of these let
a tube, H K, pass, soldered into the partitions, and
pierced with a small hole, L situated a little above the partition F G;
and under the partition D E let there be a vent, M, in the side of the
vessel. If, when these arrangements are complete, we close the passage
at C and pour in wine, it will pass through the vent M; and, if we cover
M with the finger, the wine in D E F G will be retained. Now, if we pour
water into the part A B D E, still closing the vent M, pure water will
flow out; but if, while the water is still in the upper part of the
vessel, we unclose M, a mixture will be discharged; and when all the
water has passed out, the stream will be of pure wine. By frequently
unclosing M the discharge may be varied: but the better method is first
to pour water into the chamber D E G F, and then, closing the vent, to
pour wine upon it. The result will be that sometimes pure water flows
out, and again, when the siphon is set free, a mixture; presently, on
stopping the vent, pure wine. And this can be done as often as we
please.