618 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Extracts by Henry Meigs. 



Royal Scottish Society of Arts, January 185 7 — the President, Pro- 

 fessor Wilson in the c/iair. Jl new method of producing an in- 

 tense and steady light, by 771 cans of the Bunson lamp — by Alex- 

 ander Bryson, F. R. P. S. 



This method obviates the objection of the frequent explosions 



while using the old Drummond light. It consists of a common 



Bunson lamp, without the air being admitted below. Through 



the middle of Bunson's burner is led a small tube, by which the 



oxygen is conveyed to the lime, which is placed above. There is 



now a union of the two gases until they both reach the liine which 



is rendered incandescent. It is much more steady than the usual 



light, and seems more intense. 



The Association for the prevention of steam boiler explosions. Re- 

 port at the last monthly meeting, March 1857, London. 



During the last month, 257 firms have been visited, 673 boilers 



inspected, and 69 engines indicated. The principal defects which 



have been observed in these boilers, are as folloAvs, (viz.) three 



boilers dangerous from over pressure; three boilers dangerous 



from corrosion or fracture of plates; three from injury, resulting 



from deficiency of water; eight boilers injured from the same 



cause, but not considered dangerous; three boilers not provided 



with sufficient safety valves; four others, pressure gauges very 



far from correct; two boiler gauges inoperative. 



Railway accidents in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, during 

 the half year ending December 31, 1856. 



To passenger trains — twenty- three killed, 257 injured, passen- 

 gers and companies men. Of passengers only seven killed. 



Freight trains — six accidents ; collision, 24; running off rails, 

 10; breaking axles and couplings, 4; bursting boiler, 1; servants 

 of the company, laborers, &c., 75 killed, 51 hurt. 



These are all the accidents on all the railways of the United 

 Kingdom. 



Railway service of Great Britain. 



At the end of June, 1856, 138,590 persons were employed on 

 all the railroads of the United Kingdom. Total length of lines 

 open in June, 8,506 miles. Total length of lines authorised at 

 the end of June, 12,897 miles. 



