are equal lengths.
It will be noticed by examining the diagram, that the pallets are
bisected by the 30deg. lines EB and FB, one-half their width being placed
on each side of these lines. In this pallet we have two locking circles,
MP for the engaging pallet, and NO for the disengaging pallet. The weak
points in this escapement are that the unlocking resistance is greater
on the engaging than on the disengaging pallet, and that neither of them
lock on the tangents AC and AD, at the points of intersection with EB
and FB. The narrower the circular pallet is made, the nearer to the
tangent will the unlocking be performed. In neither the equidistant or
circular pallets can the unlocking resistance be _exactly_ the same on
each pallet, as in the engaging pallet the friction takes place before
AB, the line of centers, which is more severe than when this line has
been passed, as is the case with the disengaging pallet; this fact
proportionately increases the existing defects of the circular over the
equidistant pallet, and _vice versa_, but for the same reason, the
lifting in the equidistant is proportionately accompanied by more
friction than in the circular.

Both equidistant and circular pallets have their adherents; the finest
Swiss, French and German watches are made with equidistant escapements,
while the majority of English and American watches contain the circular.
In our opinion the English are wise in adhering to the circular form. We
think a ratchet wheel should not be employed with equidistant pallets.
By examining Fig. 2, we see an English pallet of this form. We have
shown its defects in such a wide pallet as the English (as we have
before stated), because they are more readily perceived; also, on
account of the shape of the teeth, there is danger of the discharging
edge, P, dipping so deep into the wheel, as to make considerable drop
necessary, or the pallets would touch on the backs of the teeth. In the
case of the club tooth, the latter is hollowed out, therefore, less drop
is required. We have noticed that theoretically, it is advantageous to
make the pallets narrower than the English, both for the equidistant and
circular escapements. There is an escapement, Fig. 4, which is just the
opposite to the English. The entire lift is performed by the wheel,
while in the case of the ratchet wheel, the entire lifting angle is on
the pallets; also, the pallets being as narrow as they can be made,
consistent with stren