O THE BOOK OP THE LANTERN. 



light. But the introduction of mineral oil, in conjunction 

 with the adaptation of photography to lantern pictures, 

 have been the main factors in giving the instrument its 

 present popularity. 



The first lantern burning mineral oil, and called the 

 Sciopticon, came to us from America. It was constructed 

 on scientific principles, and was far in advance of anything 

 of the kind before produced. It possessed good lenses 

 and a powerful lamp, the two broad wicks of which were 

 placed edgeways towards the condenser. The lamp was so 

 closed in that it formed a combustion chamber, and burnt 

 the oil under the best conditions. The lantern, however, 



" FIG. 3. 



had its faults. The front glass of the lamp was apt to 

 break, and a dark vertical line was always seen upon the 

 sheet a line which was in reality the image of the dark 

 space between the two wicks. By adding a central wick, 

 and by making certain alterations in the ventilation of the 

 lamp chamber, Messrs. Newton conquered both these 

 difficulties, and a far more perfect form of lantern has 



