Taximeter

TAXIMETER, a registering apparatus which records the fare for the hire of a hackney carriage or motor taxicab. It is put into service by the movement of a handle, and is operated by one of the front wheels of the cab. The parts are indicated in the diagram. The star-wheel is driven from a hub-ring attached to the near-side front wheel of the vehicle. A flexible shaft leads away from the star-wheel to the gear-box fixed under the meter. This box enables the speed to be geared down, and also allows of the substitution of different gears with teeth suitable for the circumference of the tyre in use. Behind the meter is the clock winder. To put the meter into service the tariff disc handle is turned as far as it will go, and the flag pushed down. The meter will then register by time and distance. For the "stopped" posi tion the tariff disc handle is again turned as far as it will go; registration is then only by time. When the "extras" handle is turned the "extras" will show in the aperture.

A double tariff meter is so constructed that the driver can turn on either the day or the night tariff, and the meter is arranged in such a manner that only half the normal distance is given for the same amount of fare. Another type is made to show a higher fare for the first mile, and then a lower basic rate subsequently.

TAY,

the longest river in Scotland. From its source in Ben Lui (3,708 ft.), a mountain on the borders of Perthshire and Argyllshire, it flows north-east to Logierait, where it curves to the south by east as far as Dunkeld; there it turns south-east to the mouth of the Isla, where it bends south-west to the vicinity of Scone. From this point it makes a sharp descent south-east

beyond the county town, where it sweeps to near Newburgh in Fifeshire ; here it faces the north-east again as far as Broughty Ferry, whence it flows straight eastwards into the North sea, off Buddon Ness in Forfarshire, after a total run of '17 miles. During the first I I m. it is known as the Fillan and discharges into Loch Dochart. From the lake it emerges as the Dochart (i3 m.), which enters Loch Tay at Killin. Flowing through the loch for 141 m. it issues at Kenmore under its proper name of Tay. With its tributaries it drains all Perthshire and portions of Forfarshire and Argyllshire, having a catchment basin of 2,400 square miles. In many parts the current is impetuous, and in flood has occasion ally wrought much havoc. Its mean discharge of water every minute is estimated to be larger than that of any other stream in the United Kingdom.

Vessels make Dundee at all stages of the tide, and the estuary is navigable to Newburgh by vessels of 500 tons, and as far as Perth by ships of 200 tons. The navigation, however, is seriously obstructed by shifting sandbanks. The estuary varies in width from m. at Cairniepier Ferry to full 3 m. at its mouth. The first railway viaduct across the firth, opened in 1877, was blown down along with a train in 5879. The second bridge, 2 m. and 73 yd. in length, was erected 6o ft. higher up stream and opened in 1887. The Tay is famous for salmon.