THE BOOK OF THE LANTERN. 83 



Another plan was originated some time ago by Mr, 

 Beseler, of New York, and published by him in one of the 

 American journals. In this case the mixed chemicals are 

 placed in a metal tube, with a Bunsen burner beneath it. 

 As the gas is generated it fills a small gasholder, which 

 supplies the lantern. Only one part of the tube at a time 

 is subjected to heat, so that when a fresh supply of oxygen 

 is wanted, all that is necessary is to shift the Bunsen 

 burner to another part of the tube, and the gasholder is 

 replenished. This latter plan is more simple than Chad- 

 wick's ; but I object to both, unless it be for experimental 

 work at home, on two broad grounds. One is, that the 

 blow-through jet can only be used in conjunction with 

 such an apparatus, and the other is, that a lantern operator 

 has quite enough to do in attending to his burners and 

 changing the pictures without being burdened with the 

 constant anxiety of seeing to the gas supply. 



Of late years much has been heard about the so-called 

 ether-oxygen or ethoxo limelight, so called because the 

 vapour of sulphuric ether is used in lieu of the ordinary 

 hydrogen, or coal-gas. I have tried this light, and, while 

 admiring its brilliance, which is quite equal to any form 

 of limelight which I have seen, I am very doubtful as to 

 its safety. I have no doubt that it can be so arranged as 

 to work with safety ; but several explosions which have 

 occurred with it show very conclusively and unpleasantly 

 that that time has not yet arrived. With the tempting 

 advantages of extreme portability and brilliant light 

 which this or any other system may offer, I hold that it is 

 a positive duty to eschew it until it is known by further 



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