444 On the Fire-damp of Coal-mines, and on Methods 



contain the sorbic and malic acids together are apples, plums, 

 berries of the Sorbits, barberries, and sloes. Of these, the berries 

 of the Sorbus contain the greatest quantity of sorbic acid, unripe 

 apples less, ripe apples and sloes still less, barberries very little, 

 and plums least of all. The green berries of the Sorbtis, (per- 

 haps,) those of the Sambucus, and the plant Sempervivum Tecto- 

 rum, contain no other than the malic ; and agreeing with the 

 foregoing statements, raspberries and gooseberries, as theycontain 

 citric and malic acids, contain no sorbic whatever. 

 [To be continued.] 



LXXXII. On the Fire-damp of Coal-mines, and on Methods 

 of liiihting the Mines so as to prevent its Explosion. By 

 Sir H. Davy, LL.D. F.R.S. F.P.R.L^ 



1 HE accidents arising from the explosion of the fire-damp or 

 inflammable gas of coal mines, mixed with atmospherical air, 

 are annually Ijeconiing more frequent and more destructive in 

 the collieries in the North of England. 



A conmiittee has been for some time formed at Sunderland 

 for the benevolent purpose of investigating the causes of these 

 accidents, and of searching for means of preventing them. In 

 consequence of an invitation fronj the Rev. Dr. Gray, one of the 

 most active members of this committee, I was induced to turn 

 mv attention to the subject. I went to the North of England, 

 and visited some of the principal collieries in the neighbourhood 

 of Newcastle, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of 

 the workings, and the state of their ventilation. I found the 

 greatest desire to assist my inquiries in the gentlemen acquainted 

 with the northern collieries, as well as in the inspectors or viewers 

 of the mines: and I have particular obligations on this point to 

 the Rev. Dr. Gray, Cuthbert Ellison, Esq. M.P., the Rev. John 

 Hodgson, Mr. Buddie, and Mr. Dunn. Dr. Fenwick, Dr. 

 Clanny, and Mr. Fenwick, likewise kindly offered me their as- 

 sistance. 



From the information which I collected on the spot, increased 

 by the perusal of a Report of Mr. Buddie on the state of the 

 mines, I was convinced that, as far as ventilation was concerned, 



* From Pliil. Trans Part II. for 1815, now in tlie press. — We liave not 

 deviated from our usual practice, without permission, in giving tliis inter- 

 esting paper before tlie usual period. In fact, the lloyal Society, with its 

 usual liberality, \vaved its restriction in regard to Sir H. Davy's coininuni- 

 ration, tliat the public miglit the sooner be made generally acquainted with 

 Vid enjoy the advantages afforded by this most valuable contrivauce. 



the 



