2 28 Of the Light manifested in Combustion. 



If more air be permitted to mix with the flame than 

 is necessary to the complete combustion of oil, it must 

 necessarily cool the flame, and consequently must di- 

 minish the quantity of light. 



The lamp which I have in my possession being the 

 only one of this kind that has yet been made, it is still 

 in a rude and unfinished state ; but, as it has answered 

 far beyond my most sanguine expectation, I lose no 

 time in giving an account of the principles on which it 

 is constructed, in hopes that others may be induced to 

 assist in improving it. 



So far from being jealous of their success, I shall 

 rejoice in it, and shall ever be most ready to contribute 

 to it by all the means in my power. 



[This paper is printed from the English edition of Rumford's Essays, 

 Vol. IV., pp. 1 27-1 52.1 



