20 Transactions of the 



Following the steps of previous inventors, lie removes the ower 

 portions of the gauze, and on one side replaces it by a " bull's eye," or 

 strong lens, the other side being occupied by a silvered reflector. By 

 this means a more brilliant light is obtained than would be possible 

 with a naked flame ; so that the temptation to take off the protecting 

 cover in order to see better, is entirely removed. At the same time 

 the lighting of a pipe is rendered impossible, for the flame is placed 

 so much beneath the gauze that it cannot be brought to bear on the 

 sides, either by blowing the flame or tilting the Lamp; and any 

 successful attempt to open the latter puts out the light before the 

 flame can be exposed. The oil reservoir also contains a small sponge, 

 which soaks up sufficient oil for use, and all the superfluous oil is 

 poured out before the Lamp is given to the miner, so it is not liable 

 to get easily out of order. A screw governs the locking-bolt, which 

 can be easily drawn back and the lamp opened; but this operation 

 cannot be done without also putting out the light. There is one 

 "defect" that di-aws attention at once, and that is, it is more expensive 

 than the others; but the inventor states that the saving in one year's 

 consumption of oil will cover the extra outlay. This new Lamp, like 

 Mueseler's and most others of similar construction, is put out when 

 the air becomes highly explosive — and under certain circumstances 

 this might be considered a disadvantage— but for general use in 

 mines it seems best that it should go out when the air is highly 

 explosive. Mr. Yates cannot do better than submit his invention to 

 Mr. Galloway's tests against the wave theory; for if it is proof against 

 the " wave of compression," it will undoubtedly be a great advance in 

 the safe working of mines. It may be urged that, let a Lamp be ever 

 so safe, there is no security against the surreptitious use of matches 

 by the miners, except by the expensive means of thorough ventilation ; 

 but it must be conceded that, while it is impossible to detect every 

 miner who may have lucifers concealed upon him, it is equally 

 impossible to thoroughly ventilate some of the fiery collieries of this 

 country without employing an air-current scarcely less gentle than a 

 whirlwind. However, let us hqDe that Mr. Yates' invention may be 

 successful in lessening the innnense loss of life in our collieries. 



Time does not allow of my entering more fully into these or 

 many other of the most interesting inventions that are daily being 

 made ; but I hope my impeifect paper on this subject may inspire 

 some of you with a wish to investigate these things much more exactly 

 tiian I have been able to do. 



The President, Duncuft, and Allen, spoke on the paper. 



The President proposed, and J. Duncuft seconded, a vote of thanks 

 to Johnston for his paper, which was carried unanimously. 



