206 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



merely anaesthetic locally, or bj application. Bromhydric ether, which 

 boils at 105 Fah., which possesses neither an acrid nor caustic taste, 

 which emits a weak and very agreeable odor, unites, therefore, in nay 

 opinion, the conditions useful to constitute an anaesthetic agent by in- 

 spiration. Circumstances have permitted me to make the trial of it. 

 Its properties are really such as theory would indicate. Its vapor 

 quickly deprives birds of sensation ; they readily assume the activity 

 of life, and do not exhibit, either during or after the experiment, any 

 sign of suffering. Birds, with which I have repeatedly experimented, 

 four days ago, are now in full life. Bromhydric ether, therefore, is 

 offered, for aught that at present appears, as one of the very best inspir- 

 able anaesthetic agents." 



MATERIALS FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHT. 



THERE are few subjects of practical moment so interesting to the 

 community, at this time, as that of artificial light. The camphene or 

 pine oil, and the spirit gas or ethereal oil, have, to some extent, superseded 

 the common oils, but the great number of fatal accidents resulting from 

 their use will prevent their general introduction. Another drawback 

 is also and most justly operating to exclude them from use, and that is 

 the adulteration of the liquid. The pine oil, or camphene, is or should 

 be a pure oil of turpentine, but is now so frequently loaded with the 

 spirits of turpentine, or resinous matter, as to render it unfit for burn- 

 ing. The spirit gas or ethereal oil is not so easily adulterated, as it 

 requires a very strong alcohol to mix well with the turpentine ; but even 

 this article is now so managed as frequently to burn but little better 

 than alcohol itself. The fact is, it is difficult to get a pure article of 

 anything at the present day. A pure sperm oil cannot be purchased ; 

 I say this not without authority. A large quantity of sperm and whale 

 oil is now consumed to manufacture the celebrated cod liver oil, which, 

 as now sold, is about one third part cod liver and other fish liver oils, 

 and the remainder fish and whale oil. Lard oil is unfit for lamps, at 

 least so far as we have had any experience in Washington. I have 

 tried repeatedly that which has been most highly recommended, and 

 have never yet found any that appeared to be suitable either for single 

 draft or argand lamps. Page's Report on Patents. 



ON THE MANUFACTURE OF CANDLES. 



THE following is a resume of a paper read before the Royal Society, 

 London, on the manufacture of candles, by TV. Carpmael, Esq. : 



Formerly, says this gentleman, the classes of candles manufactured 

 in this country were wax, spermaceti, and tallow, the materials being 

 used almost in their natural state. The manufacture of wax into can- 

 dles has received no improvement, but is still a rude process, consisting 

 of hanging a series of wicks (each composed of several yarns of Smyrna 

 cotton slightly twisted together) around a hoop suspended in the air ; 

 the workman pours the melted wax on to the wicks in succession till the 

 candles are about one third made, when they are allowed to cool for a 

 time ; then again the process of pouring on the melted wax is repeated, 

 till the workman judges, by sight or by weighing, that the candles are 



