Clje Cljcmistrg oi CollicriT (5^^|jla- 



sbiTS true ta ^m trcrtbetr fram 



Cnsl-tritst. 



By DONALD M. D. STUART, C.E., F.G.S. 



{Read Jan, 26, 1897.) 



THIS subject has received constant attention by physi- 

 cists, chemists and engineers, from the early years of 

 this century. The explosions were generally supposed to 

 be due to the ignition of a gaseous mixture, termed fire- 

 damp, of which the following anaylsis by Lord Playfair 



1000 



The presence of the firedamp in the atmosphere of the 

 mine was disclosed by its combustion over the flame of the 

 candle or safety lamp. When the firedamp was diffused in 

 a volume of the atmosphere, so as to form an inflammable 

 or an explosive mixture, and exposed to an unprotected 

 flame, varied effects ensued from a simple burning without^ 



109 



