1817.] Scientific Intelligence. 167 
never before occurred. This, although a trifling communication, 
may probably prove worthy of a place in your Journal. The ac-. 
count is given nearly verbatim as | had it from Mr. D. 
I remain, dear Sir, yours sincerely, 
Dec, 24, 1816. R. S. M. R. M.S. E. 
XVIII. Proposed Improvement in Brook’s Blow-pipe. . 
(To Dr. Thomson.) 
SIR, 
Considering what advantages may accrue to chemistry from 
Newman’s blow-pipe, if constructed upon a safer principle, I have 
been induced, though young and inexperienced, to give you my 
ideas upon the subject. 
What I have to propose is, a small alteration on the improvement 
of Mr. Edwards, as given in Burrows’s Medical Repository for 
November last. Instead of dividing the reservoir in the middle by 
a plate, I would have the gases quite separated in two distinct re- 
servoirs ; for I conceive, if any accident should occur to the certre 
plate, so as to permit the gases to mix, an explosion would ensue, | 
and perhaps be the more dreadful because the less expected. 
If it should be found that, according to Mr. Edwards’ plan, the 
gases do not properly unite, by merely coming in contact as they 
issue from the extremity of the cap, it would probably be attended 
with very little danger, if an explosion showld happen, if they were 
to be mixed in a small quantity in the cap, to which a capillary 
tube might be adapted, like the one in Brande’s Journal, No. III. 
As the reservoir for oxygen need not be so large as the one for 
hydrogen, the former might be (when not in use) put into the 
latter, if the latter could be so constructed without allowing the 
escape of the gas, which would render it more portable than any 
yet proposed. 
The two reservoirs, for the sake of firm- 
ness, might be easily connected (when in | #y¢- 
use) by a bar of metal screwed into their 
sides, with another piece through it for a handle. 
I merely send this as a hint for your superior judgment to dilate 
upon, trusting that my youth will be a sufficient excuse for all 
mistakes, and that my boldness may be attributed to my love of 
chemistry. 
Dec, 28, 1816. BF: 
XIX. Query respecting the Combustibility of Clay. 
(To Dr, Thomson.) 
Oxy. 
SIR, 
The Lord Mayor having proposed a method of burning clay and 
mud, under the impression, as I suppose, of the caloric being re- 
tained a little longer by its admixture with the coal: but as clay 
will still be clay, whether combined or not, I shall be particularly 
