‘ . f Abiiny @ 
XIII. Description of a Gas Lamp for Coal- Mines, invented 
’ by Mr. E. Carrer, of Exeter. Communicated in a Letter 
Srom Mr. Carter to Sir H. Davy*. 
Exeter, Dec. 27, 1815. 
Sir, — es many shocking accounts of accidents in coal-mines 
from the explosion of gas, induced me (no doubt with many 
others) to consider some means of preventing such dreadful ac- 
cidents. The contrivance of a lantern that might be kept as it 
were insulated from the atmosphere of the mine, appeared the 
most likely mode of preventing explosion; and I thought mine, 
of which I have subjoined a sketch, would fully answer the pur- 
pose. When I was about sending this to the Editor of The Phi- 
losophical Magazine, your experiments and very learned obser- 
vations on the subject, and very ingenious contrivance of a safety- 
lantern, appeared in that work ; the excellence of which in sim- 
plicity and portability rendered it unnecessary, I thought, for 
me to say any thing respecting mine. However, on reconsider- 
ing the matter, I am induced to think that the coal-mines may 
be lighted with much advantage, in point of expense, with gas, 
as the material for its production rises on the spot. My first 
plan was intended for burning oil, and the addition of the pipe 
for conducting gas is the only alteration made, 
The pipes a and J are main pipes, the one to conduct gas from 
the gasometer, the other to bring a supply of air to maintain 
ra a 
* Communicated by Sir H, Dev) to the Editor, 
Vol. 47, No, 213. Jan, 1816, 2 the 
