58 FIRESIDE SCIENCE. 



But how can we be positively assured of safety in 

 the use of kerosene ? How can we know of the 

 quality or character of the article offered us by 

 dealers ? These are important questions, which 

 will naturally arise in the mind of the reader. We 

 answer, there is positive assurance of safety, if pure, 

 well manufactured kerosene is consumed. We do 

 not believe a serious accident ever occurred from 

 kerosene, the inflammable p'oint of which was above 

 110 P., and this is the legal standard. During the 

 past fifteen years the writer has made a large num- 

 ber of experiments upon burning fluids, and investi- 

 gated thoroughly the conditions under which acci- 

 dents occur in their use. Personal investigation 

 has been made of the alleged cases of explosions, 

 many of which have been reported, and therefore 

 opinions are expressed upon the subject with a con- 

 fident feeling of their correctness. 



Purchases made direct, of long established, rep- 

 utable manufacturers, afford assurances of safety. 

 But such are not readily accessible, and in most 

 cases a supply is sought from the nearest dealer, 

 without any definite knowledge of the source from 

 whence it comes, or its character or quality. If 

 consumers are willing to be put to a little trouble, 

 a simple experiment will determine the safety of 

 the kerosene they purchase. Fill a pint bowl two 

 thirds full of boiling water, and into it put a com- 



