456 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



break of continuity in the gas tube, sheathed only by a cover- 

 ing of permeable, safety-lamp wire-gauze, just before it enters 

 the hemispherical chamber. The gas leaps across the open 

 chasm, dragging: with it a current of air through the wire- 

 gauze sheath. The air and gas mix in the chamber, and then 

 rise through a transverse internal diaphragm of wire-gauze, 

 to issue from a burner at the top. The flame produced by 

 this arrangement is an emerald, amber-tipped cone, of very 

 remarkable heating power, readily melting brass, silver, gold, 

 and copper, and attaining a temperature of 3000 Fahr. The 

 burner is made with 1, 4, 12, 16, or 24 flames, according to 

 the use to which it is to be applied. 2\A^Aug. 15, 1873, 751. 



NEW SAFETY LOCK. 



Prokop, of Gratz, has constructed a lock on a new principle, 

 which he claims renders it proof against picking, or copying 

 of the key. The peculiarity, as gathered from a condensed 

 description, consists in a keyhole curved upward instead of 

 straight, with a corresponding compound curved key. 13 C, 

 June 1, 1873, 719. 



APPARATUS FOE MOISTENING LABELS, STAMPS, THE FINGERS, 



ETC. 



A simple apparatus for moistening stamps, labels, the fin- 

 gers, etc., in banks and counting-rooms has been devised, 

 which obviates the necessity for frequent cleansing of a 

 sponge, as when moist sponge in a porcelain dish is simply 

 used. It consists of a porcelain dish with a double bottom, 

 and the two separated by a small space, the upper bottom 

 being filled with small holes, and having a hollow cylinder, 

 serving as a reservoir, closed at the top, resting upon it, and 

 in communication with the inclosed space. The apparatus 

 is filled by immersing it entirely in a vessel of water, and 

 then placing it in its proper position. The water oozes up 

 through the perforations as needed, too rapid escape being 

 prevented by the atmospheric pressure. 34 (7, 1873, xn., 

 116. 



WETTING COAL A MISTAKE. 



It has frequently been maintained that w T etting coal in- 

 creases the amount of heat given out in combustion ; but a 



