208 jeu Lamp. 
would continue ignited for some time; but, I believe, no prac? 
tical use has been made of this fact. 
If a cylindrical coil of thin platina wire be placed, part of it 
round the cotton wick of a spirit lamp, and part of it above the 
wick, and the lamp be lighted, so as to heat the wire to redness; 
on the flame being blown out, the vapour of the alcohol will keep 
the upper part of the wire red hot, for any length of time, accord- 
ing to the supply of alcohol, and with little expenditure thereof; 
so as to be in constant readiness to kindle German fungus, of 
_ paper prepared with nitre, and, by this means, to light a sulphur 
match at pleasure. This lamp affords sufficient lighit to show the 
hour of the night by a watch, and to perform many other useful 
services ; but does not hinder the repose of persons unaccus- 
tomed to keep a light burning in their bed room, fof does if 
require to be snuffed. é : 
The proper size of the’ platina wire is the ;foth part of an 
inch: a larger one will only yield a dull, red light, and a smaller 
one is difficult to use. About 12 turns of the wire will be suf- 
ficient, coiled around any cylindrical body suited to the size of 
the wick of the lamp; and four or five coils should be placed 
on the wick, and the remainder of the wire above it: and which 
will be the part ignited. A wick, composed of twelve threas 
of the ordinary sized lamp cotton yarn, with the platina wire 
coiled around it, will require about half an ounce of alcohol t0 
keep it alight for eight hours. 
An agreeable and slightly acid smell arises from this lamp 
during its ignition. It is perfectly safe, as nothing can fall from 
it; and its novel appearance, in a wick’s keeping red hot 
such a length of time, is very surprising to persons unacqu 
with its nature. 
P. S.— When the wire has become oxided, it will be neces 
ry touncoil it, and rubit bright again with fine glass-paper’ 
which «vill cause it to act again with increased effect. 
REMARK. 
Such wire as is here described may, probably, be obtained it 
Philadelphia. 
7 
Leeiogic ue 
pr ae Sie 
