82 CHEMICAL ACTION. 



Q. Why are SOME particles consumed and not 

 OTHERS ? 



A. The combustion of the carbon 

 depends upon its combining with the oxy- 

 gen of the air : but as the outer surface 

 of the flame prevents the access of air to 

 the interior parts, therefore much of the 

 carbon of those parts passes off in smoke. 



Q. Why do LAMPS SMOKE ? 



A. Either because the wick is cut 

 unevenly, or else because it is turned up 

 too high. 



Q. Why doe?, a LAMP SMOKE when the WICK is 



CUt UNEVENLY? 



A. 1st Because the points of the 

 jagged edge (being very easily separated 

 from the wick,) load the flame with more 

 carbon than it can consume : and 



2ndly As the heat of the flame is 

 greatly diminished by these bits of wick, 

 it is unable to consume even the usual 

 quantity of smoke. 



Q. Why does a LAMP SMOKE when the WICK 

 is turned up too HIGH ? * 



A. Because more carbon is separated 

 from the wick than can be consumed by 

 the flame. 



