108 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



WAY'S NEW ELECTRIC LIGHT. 



The principle of a new device for obtaining an electric light, originated by 

 Professor Way, of London, is the application of the current of a voltaic bat- 

 tery to a moving column of mercury. The mercury is contained in a crystal 

 globe of the size of an orange, whence it flows through a very minute orifice 

 in the form of a thin metallic thread, not larger than a very small needle, to a 

 little cup below. From this cup it falls into a basin, to be again restored to 

 the globe or reservoir above. During its passage from the globe to the cup it 

 comes into contact with the wires of the battery, and a vivid light is pro- 

 duced, ceasing whenever the contact is interrupted. The continuance of the 

 light is regulated by a piece of clock-work machinery, carrying a revolving 

 disc, the face of which is covered with numerous holes, with pins to fit in as 

 may be required. In front of the disc are two small cylinders, with pistons 

 and arms attached. As the disc revolves, the pins in its face lift the pistons 

 in the cylinders and cut off the connection between the battery and the 

 lighting apparatus, producing flashes of light of any duration that may be 

 required. 



A nocturnal excursion was lately made from the Isle of Wight, to test the 

 efficiency of this light. The simple machinery was hoisted to the mast- 

 head, and there soon shone out upon the surrounding land and water a light 

 almost unnaturally brilliant. Osborne, the country-seat of the Queen, with 

 its groves, and gardens, and walks, was rendered in every part distinctly 

 visible. When at some distance out, it was found necessary to send a boat 

 to the shore, and a little yawl pursued its way along a track of light, which 

 made it easily seen from both the ship and the land. The success of the 

 experiment was complete, and the large numbers who witnessed it pro- 

 nounced Professor Way's invention far superior to any electric light hitherto 

 introduced. 



GASSIOT'S IMPROVEMENT IN TEE ELECTRIC LIGHT. 



It has long been known that, under certain circumstances, the electric 

 discharge from a voltaic battery can be made to traverse short distances 

 across air in the form of an intensely luminous, but, at the same time, 

 intensely hot spark. If this discharge is made to pass through a glass tube, 

 by means of platinum wires sealed into the extremities, the air having 

 previously been exhausted from it by means of an air-pump, the discharge 

 assumes an entirely different aspect. Instead of appearing in the form of 

 disconnected sparks, the electric fluid traverses it like a continuous stream 

 of nebulous light, filling the tube with a beautiful phosphorescent glow, 

 whilst the heat almost disappears ; on this account it was until very recently 

 considered that electricity passed through a vacuum. Recent researches 

 have, however, shown that a vacuum really is a non-conductor to the passage 

 of the electric fluid, and that the phenomenon of conduction apparent in the 

 " vacuum tube" was really due to the great conducting power possessed by 

 a highly rarefied gas. As soon as this was known, it became a matter of 

 great interest to electricians to ascertain the various effects which would be 

 produced by having the tube filled with various sorts of gases, and also 

 what difference was caused by alterations in the size and shape of the 

 vacuum tubes employed. 



The subject was especially investigated by Mr. Gassiot, the well-known 



