104 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



less extent upon the principles developed by Davy, in the Safety 

 Mining Lamp. 



The" lamp constructed by Mr. Newell is made as follows : In the 

 center of the lamp, extending to the bottom, is a fixed cylinder of 

 fine tinned wire gauze, having a mesh of 500 to the inch. A tube 

 of like gauze screws on to the wick disc, and confines the wick ; this 

 tube slips down inside of the gauze cylinder spoken of. The can for 

 containing the camphene, or turpentine and alcoholic mixture, is 

 made with a disc of this wire gauze in the spout and under the lid. 

 The wick disc is also perforated with a number of fine holes, which 

 thus establish a communication with the interior of the lamp and the 

 external air. Should the contents of the lamp at any tune be fired, 

 as during the filling, the combustion is wholly confined within the 

 gauze tube running up the centre of the lamp, or rather, to the nar- 

 row space between the external and internal tubes ; and all flame is 

 prevented from reaching the fluid contained in the body of the lamp. 

 On the other hand, the small perforations in the wick disc, at once 

 relieve the interior of the lamp from the pressure of gas, or vapor 

 generated by overheating, and at the same time prevent the passage 

 of flame from without. 



The arrangement in the lamp devised by Prof. Horsford, is some- 

 what different from that of Mr. Ne well's, but is intended to accomplish 

 the same purpose. 



DISINFECTING LAMP. 



A SIMPLE and economical apparatus for disinfecting apartments, 

 and purifying the air, has been used for some tune by various medical 

 gentlemen in Boston. It is simply this : Take one of any of the 

 various kinds of glass lamps for burning camphene, for example 

 and fill it with chloric ether, and light the wick. In a few minutes, 

 the object will be accomplished. In dissecting rooms, in the damp, 

 deep vaults, where vegetables are sometimes stored, or where drains 

 allow the escape of offensive gases, in outbuildings, and in short, in 

 any spot where it is desirable to purify the atmosphere, burn one of 

 these lamps. One tube, charged with a wick, is quite sufficient. 

 This suggestion is really worth remembering for the comfort of a sick 

 room, because it is easily accomplished, agreeable, and more econom- 

 ical for purifying than any process now known. 



ON THE LIGHTHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 



THE almost universal complaint of the utter inefficiency of our 

 lighthouses, has at length led Congress to take measures for an exam- 

 ination into the truth of the reports, and the causes of the defects, if 

 such existed. In accordance, therefore, with a resolution, a Board 

 of officers was appointed with instructions to inquire into the condi- 

 tion of the lighthouse establishment of the United States, and make 

 a general detailed report and programme to guide legislation in 



