History of Mechanical Inventions^ ^c. 157 



Aet. XXVI.— history of mechanical inventions and 



OF PROCESSES AND MATERIALS USED IN THE FINE AND 

 USEFUL ARTS. 



1 . Mr Farey's Improved Lamp. 



Our readers are doubtless well acquainted with the various contrivances 

 both of a hydrostatic and a mechanical nature, by which oil is raised to 

 supply the wick of a lamp, when it is required that the reservoir of oil 

 shall not be placed above the flame. The most ingenious of these will 

 be found described in the Article Lamp, in the Edinburgh Encyclopoedia, 

 which was written by Mr Farey, the inventor of the jiresent improvement. 

 In place of raising the oil hydrostatically by the pressure of a column or 

 water as in St Clair's and Keir's lamp, or by a piece of clock-work, which 

 pumps up the oil, as in the beautiful contrivance of M. Carcel, Mr Farey 

 puts the oil in a bladder, or other flexible vessel, which is prevented from 

 collapsing by a helical wire spring. Above this bag is placed a disc with 

 several ring- formed weights, which by their pressure force the oil up to the 

 wick. Mr Farey founds his patent right on the idea of " applying the di- 

 rect action of a descending weight, or the direct pressure of a spring to the 

 raising up of oils, or other inflammable fluids in sufficient quantities, regu- 

 lated by the smallness of the holes through which such oil or fluid has to 

 pass in its ascent to the wick of his improved lamp." A drawing and more 

 accurate description of this lamp will be found in Newton's Journal^ No- 

 vember 1827, p. 128. 



2. Notice of the new Metallic Compound Artimomantico, resembling gold 

 in colour and weight. 



This metallic compound is invented by a gentleman at Leghorn, a 

 friend of T. Appleton, Esq. the American consul there, who has sent an 

 account of it with specimens to Dr Mease of New York, where it has been 

 examined by competent judges. It is of the same weight as gold of 18 

 carats, and can be made hke that of 24. Mr Appleton's snuff" box is 

 made of it, and is always mistaken for pure gold. At a manufactory of it 

 established at Bologna metal buttons are made of it at 50 cents per dozen ; 

 when new they resemble the most highly gilt buttons. The inventor sells 

 the metal to the manufacturers at Bologna at two dollars and 60 cents per 

 lb. of 12 oz. which makes 9 dozen of coat buttons. The editor of the 

 Franklin Journal states that the Artimomantico is soft and bends, and 

 founds its superiority to other gold-coloured metals on its not tarnishing. 

 -^Franklin Journal. . 



3. Notice of a Metallic Alloy for plating Iron and protecting it from Rust. 

 This invention is by the discoverer of the Artimomantico, and is commu- 

 nicated by the same gentleman. It is easily and cheaply applied, forms an 

 amalgam with the iron, penetrates to some depth, and effectually pro- 

 tects it from rust. It derives this property from its refusing to unite with 



