THE BOOK OF THE LANTERN. 



47 



obtained in any quantity at a cheap rate by any one who 

 requires it. Erin's Oxygen Company has established ex- 

 tensive works at Westminster, where, by a system of 

 retorts and air-pumps, the business of abstracting oxygen 

 from the air is continuously carried on. The gas is carried 

 to a holder, in which it is stored ; and is drawn from that 

 holder and compressed in steel cylinders for the use of the 

 Company's customers. These cylinders are so strong, that 

 one having the capacity of little more than a cubic foot of 

 gas will hold forty feet when that gas is compressed within it. 

 These bottles, placed in wooden cases, are now sent over 

 the kingdom by rail and carrier." 



The gas is of the utmost purity, and is largely used for 

 charging water for drinking purposes, as a remedy for 

 certain diseases. 



The following table gives the sizes of the cylinders 

 supplied, together with their length and weight : 



SOLID DRAWN STEEL CYLINDERS CHARGED TO 120 

 ATMOSPHERES. 



