Experiments of Candle Wicks, Sfc. 125 



the perpendicular. But as the angle of inclination necessary 

 to obviate the inconvenience is not less than 30° the suggestion 

 has been seldom adopted. One principal object I had in view- 

 in making the experiment now detailed, was to form a Tallow 

 Candle so, that this advantage might be obtained more readily. 

 As a Tallow Candle with two Wicks gives nearly the same 

 light as a Wax Candle, it seems better fitted for accomplishing 

 this end than one with three Wicks ; it was with it therefore 

 that my observations were made. I found that when placed 

 exactly upright, sometimes the Wicks either did not bend 

 sufficiently soon, or inclined in opposite directions with regard 

 to each other, and assumed a shape which was unpleasant to 

 the eye. It seemed necessary on that account to give the 

 Candle a position somewhat inclined, and I found that an 

 angle of not more than ten degrees was sufficient, the wicks 

 being placed in a plane with each other, and I generally in 

 lighting the Candle gave it first a slight bend. With these 

 arrangements I partially succeeded, such a Candle placed in 

 this manner, burning without requiring snuffing, and the 

 Wicks when consisting of 8 or 10 threads possessing sufficient 

 strength to retain a straight form till they acquire sufficient 

 length, when the extremity bends and is consumed. More 

 extensive and varied observations than I have been able to 

 make are necessary to ascertain the comparative advantages 

 and disadvantages which such a Tallow Candle possesses, com- 

 pared with a common Tallow Candle, so as to render it fit or 

 unfit for use under peculiar circumstances. I apprehend, 

 however, that though it may answer perfectly well when used 

 in cold and temperate weather, and when there is no wind to 

 affect the direction of the flame ; in hot weather or when the 

 atmosphere is not still, it will be found apt to gutter; for, on 

 *account of circumstances which further investigations are 

 required to explain satisfactorily, Tallow is very liable, par- 

 ticularly in warm weather, to melt in too large quantity at 

 the surface and to run down the sides of the Candle. 



The Wax procured from the Candleberry Myrtle, of which 

 there are several species indigenous in this Colony, and from 

 which a large quantity is collected by the Fanners, is fre- 

 quently used for making Candles. This Wax possesses a 

 pleasant smell, and burns without emitting that unpleasant 

 empyreumatic odour which renders the combustion of animal 

 fat disagreeable. It is naturally white, but acquires in the 

 procees of manufacturing it, a deep green color derived from 

 the soluble coloring matter of the seeds. It is much harder 

 than Bees' Wax ; is brittle and sonorous. Moistened with 

 water and exposed to the action of the sun's rays, it very 

 slowly loses its green color ; in the course of six weeks 

 becoming grey ; but I apprehend such exposure however long 



