HEATING AND LIGHTING UTENSILS IN NATIONAL MUSEUM 75 



product is shown on Plate 67. A pair of lamps combined with 

 candlesticks, the reservoir fitted to the candle socket and removable, 

 is shown in Plate QQa. The inscription on the burner is " F. T. Gale. 

 128 Oxford Street. Made in Germany." The flat wick is formed 

 by the burner into a tubular wick. The chimney is tubular with 

 a constriction in the lower portion. (Figs. 2, 3, Cat. No. 311510, 

 England; Elizabeth S. Stevens; 18.5 inches (47 cm.) high.) The 

 chimney is by Macbeth. 



During his incumbency as Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu- 

 tion, Joseph Henry carried on for the Lighthouse Board experi- 

 ments to ascertain the relative values of oils suitable for economical 

 use in lighthouses. Sperm oil, due to the diminution in the number 

 of whales from the unrestrained activity of the whalers, had in- 

 creased in price to such an extent that it was found necessary to cast 

 about for other illuminants. Lard oil and rapeseed oil were the 

 available alternatives for sperm oil, which had for so many years 

 been the mainstay of illumination. Both of these oils were found 

 suitable for the purpose mentioned. Spencer F. Baird, second Sec- 

 retary of the Smithsonian, continued experiments in the interest of 

 the Lighthouse Board, giving especial attention to improved lamps 

 for the service. The lamp on Plate 68 (fig. 2) is one which Professor 

 Henry used for his scientific work on oils and which was preserved 

 by Professor Baird. This lamp is simple, the oil being raised in the 

 wick by capillarity alone. The wick is tubular, mounted as in the 

 time-honored Argand, but adjusted by a toothed rack engaged by 

 a cogwheel. The wick collar is choked at the wick edge. Ventila- 

 tion through the wick tube is supplied through holes pierced in the 

 walls of the lamp support. The lamp is made of copper. (PI. 68, 

 fig. 2, Cat. No. 325650, Washington, D. C, Spencer F. Baird; 18.7 

 inches (47 cm.) high.) Another lighthouse lamp used by Professor 

 Baird and traditionally devised by him is designed to force oil into 

 the wick at a regular rate by means of a clockwork with strong spring 

 actuating a gear engaged with a rack and pinion. This is practically 

 the Carcel principle and illustrative of the devices necessary before 

 the introduction of petroleum. The burner incorporates all the prin- 

 ciples found useful up to the time of this lamp. The latter is en- 

 tirely of brass and is a good piece of professional work. (PI. 68, 

 fig. 3, Cat. No. 75373, Washington, D. C, Spencer F. Baird; 16.7 

 inches (42 cm.) high.) 



GAS LAMPS 



The subject of gas lighting is very interesting. Few realize that 

 the beginning of gas lighting was 135 years ago and that this form 

 of illumination is the oldest scientific method, introducing gas en- 



