398 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



that in trying the first proof they stand in the immediate vicinity of the 

 gun when it is fired. 



The subject of " Recent Improvements in Warfare" was chosen for the 

 next meeting, and the Association adjourned. 



Thomas D. Stetson, Secretary. 



American Institute Polytechnic Association, ] 

 December 11, 1862. j" 

 The Chairman, S. D. Tillman, Esq., presiding. 



A communication was read from tlie secretary of the board of managers, 

 in relation to articles entered for premiums. 



On motion, the time for receiving articles for premiums was extended to 

 the 18th December next. 



Lamp for Burning Oil Without a Chimney. 



Prof. Seely read the following communication from Mr. B. Woodard, of 

 Buffalo, New York, dated December 1, 1862: 



I notice that at the meeting of the Polytechnic Association, on 23d Octo- 

 ber last, you had under consideration a lamp for burning oil. In experi- 

 menting with petroleum, I have hit upon a device for burning rock oil, 

 either refined or crude, equally well, without a chimney and without smoke 

 or smell, except when extinguished, and for a few moments after. Take a 

 common single tubed night lamp used for fluid, and prick three holes 

 through the cap into the body of the lamp; make the holes near enough to 

 the tube to come inside of a petticoat, which can be made of tin, and sol- 

 dered air tight to the cap, and come up flush with the top of the wick (a 

 trifle above the wick tube). Have the petticoat large enough to leave just 

 double the space or bore there is to the wick tube, and it will burn petro- 

 leum or other oil, camphene fluid, or other combustible fluids equally well, 

 and is non-explosive. 



It is a simple contrivance, but if you think it worthy of your attention, I 

 would like to have it brought before the Association for their consideration. 



P. S. I should have added, there is to be no vent to the lamp, other than 

 through the three holes between the petticoat and wick tube. The experi- 

 ments may be made more interesting by enlarging the lamp, tubes, wick, 

 &c., and make the petticoat of transparent glass. The accumulation of 

 smoke, gases, &c., can then be seen confined within the petticoat, and also 

 its combustion. 



A saving of 2 per cent, is efl'ected, and the lamp always clean. 



Plan for Enlarging Locks on Canals. 



Mr. Bull introduced Major Taylor, who proceeded to explain and illus- 

 trate, by model, his plan for enlarging locks of canals by a new construc- 

 tion of the gate. 



A drop gate, much outside of the present gate, is to be employed on the 



