330 Aphlogistie Lamp. 
Fig. 2,shows the lamp complete. The body of it is a low 
vial, or glass inkstand capable of holding about two ounces 
of alcohol. Itis stopped accurately with a cork, which is 
covered, for ornament, te tin foil. ‘The aperture for ad- 
mitting the tube and wick is made with a hot iron. is a 
small tube through erhiol ithe alcohol is poured. A drop- 
ping tube is convenient for this purpose ; but a small fun- 
nel is easily made by cutting off an inch of the neck of a 
broken retort, into which is pushed a cork, and through this 
a small quill. Another orifice stil] for letting off the air, as 
the alcohol goes in may be made through the cork. After 
the lamp is charged ; these orifices, are of course, to be clos- 
ed to ane evaporation. 
e lamp is completed, and par a the alcohol is 
itiftimed “- holding the coil in the blaz ofa candle. After 
Jetting it burn for a minute or two, thé flame is blown out, 
when, if every thing is properly adjusted, the wire will con- 
tinue red hot until the alcohol is exhauste 
he explanation, why the ignition of the wire is perma- 
nent, seems to _ sufficiently simple. Alcohol, when in 
the state of vapour, combines with oxigen with great facili- 
ty. The tent purisaré of the wire is first raised by the flame 
of the candle to about 800° Fah. This degree of heat is 
such as to effect the combination of the alcohol with the ox- 
ygen of the atmosphere. When this is once effected, the 
caloric extricated by the combustion of the alcohol is sufli- 
cient to keep the coil ata red heat, which again is the tem- 
perature at which the alcohol is combustible, so that one 
portion of alcohol, by the absorption of oxygen, and the con- 
sequent extrication of caloric, Jays the foundation for the 
combustion of another portion ; and as the alcohol rises ia 
a constant stream, so the éffect i is constant. The stream of 
vapour is much increased by the heat of the lower part of 
the coil, where it embraces the wick, and the temperature 
of the prea is considerably raised ‘before it reaches that 
part of the coil where its combustion is effected. Some- 
times, the last ¢ me upper turn of the wire only, is kept wee 
— lamp, though one of the most curious inventions of 
er is not merely a curiosity. The facility and certain- 
8 which, by means of a match, a light may be obtained 
rom it, constitutes its utility. The proper matches for: this 
