FORM OF ETHEKOXYGEN LANTERN. 57 



necessary pressure. Upon the front edge of the first pan are a number of catches designed 

 to engage a spring and automatically transfer the source of heat from cup to cup as the 

 pan descends duriug the exhaustion of the contained gas. 



To place the lantern in operation the case is located in the desired position and all 

 the moveable parts are removed. The loose pan is next filled with water to about two- 

 thirds or three-fourths its capacity and placed in position. The rubber tiibe supplying 

 gas to the receiver is next attached to its corresponding metal tube and passed through a 

 hole in the cover made for this purpose, the latter being then closed down. Two metal 

 rods projecting from the front of the cover are then drawn out as supports for the retort, 

 and the lantern is placed in position on the top of the case. 



Black oxide of manganese (Mu 0,) and chlorate of potash (K CI 0;,) in the proportions 

 of 1 : 3 are now thoroughly crushed and mixed. If the crystals of chlorate are fine, 

 thorough mixing with a spoon will suffice, but if large it will probably be found better 

 and more expeditious to pass the mixture through an ordinary coffee mill. A metal 

 trough of the form and length of the retort is now filled with the mixture, passed into 

 the inverted retort, the whole reversed and the charger or trough withdrawn. In this 

 process each cup will be filled and auy excess of material discharged as the trough is 

 drawn out. The head of the retort is next firmly clamped on, the retort is placed in posi- 

 tion on its supports, and the lamp adjusted to the first cup on the right. A large rubber 

 tube is now connected with the retort at one end and with the washer at the other, while 

 the small tube leading from the receiver is also attached to the washer. After making 

 certain that all connections are perfectly tight, heat is applied. If sufficient, gas will 

 form in two and one-half minutes, the first indications of which will be in a sliffht 

 action of the receiver, followed by an elevation of the regulator to its full height. The 

 pan now rises rapidly, and, under favorable conditions, the light should be on the screen 

 within five minutes from the first application of heat to the retort. When alcohol is used 

 in generating the gas a somewhat louger time must be allowed for. 



The distribution of the gas takes place in the following manner : As fast as it gen- 

 erates it passes from the retort to the washer, whence it returns by a smaller tube to the 

 receiver, in which the surplus is stored. From the washer it also enters the staudpipe 

 and regulator, which latter determines a uniform pressure in the gas supplied to the jet, 

 thereby securing a steady light. From this point, as regulated by the needle valves, the 

 gas is led by two separate channels to the point of consumption. One valve transmits 

 pure oxygen directly from the washer. The other causes a certain volume of oxygen to 

 pass downward into one of the saturators, from, which it passes into the second, and 

 thence directly to the burner. In its course it becomes supersaturated with ether, and 

 therefore constitutes the substitute for the ordinary hydrogen gas employed where sepa- 

 rate gases are used. 



The capacity of the retort is such that sufficient gas may be generated to operate the 

 light contiuiTously for about two hours. Two or more retorts will be found of advantage, 

 and by their use continuous service may be secv^red for any length of time. 



The exhausted charges may be speedily removed from the retort by placing the latter 

 on end under a tap and using a free supply of water. If the latter be heated the operation 

 will be facilitated. If not immediately needed, the retort may then be placed on end 



Sec III, 1891. 8. 



