422 WHALE-FISHERY. 



vessel, is allowed to flow into tliem, which is princi- 

 pally decomposed in its passage through, and con- 

 verted into gas suitable for illumination. The flow 

 of the oil into the retorts, and the production of gas, 

 can be regulated to a convenient rate. Some oil, 

 however, it will generally be found, passes over, in a 

 state of vapour without suffering decomposition, 

 which, if allowed to escape by the burner, may occa- 

 sion an unpleasant smell. To prevent this, the gas 

 is made to pass through a worm in a vessel of water, 

 by which the steam is condensed into oil, runs at 

 once into the oil cistern, and is again exposed to de- 

 composition in the retorts. Lest there should still be 

 any oil suspended in the gas in a state of vapour, a 

 further precaution for purifying it is taken, by con- 

 veying it into another vessel, where it is further cool- 

 ed and washed, by passing in a zig-zag direction 

 through water, and rendered fit for use*. 



The patent apparatus for the production of gas 

 from oil, is made by Messrs Taylors and Martineau, 

 the patentees, of various sizes and powers, to suit 

 dwelling houses and other buildings, in which room 

 is an object of importance. 



" One which is capable of furnishing gas for from 

 twelve to twenty argand lamps, may be convenient- 



* Quarterly Journal of Literature, &c. vol- viii. p. 1 2 1 . — When 

 a certain quantity of gas has been produced, it is found that 

 the retorts begin to lose their poAver of decomposing oil ; but, 

 by throwing bits of common brick into the retorts along with 

 the oil, their capability of producing gas is not only restored 

 but augmented. 



