208 Hew Lamp. 



would continue ignited for some time ; but, I believe, no prapc- 

 tical use has been made of this fact. 



If a cylindrical coil of thin platina wire be placed, part of it 

 round the cotton wick of a spirit lamp, and part of it above the 

 wick, and the lamp be lighted, so as to heat the wire to red- 

 ness ; on the flame being blown out, the vapour of the alcohol 

 will keep the upper part of the wire red hot, for any length of 

 time, according to the supply of alcohol, and with little ex- 

 penditure thereof ; so as to be in constant readiness to Itindle 

 German fungus, or paper prepared with nitre, and, by this 

 means, to light a sulphur match at pleasure. This lamp af- 

 fords sufficient light to show the hour of the night by a watch, 

 and to perform many other useful services ; but does not hin- 

 der the repose of persons unaccustomed to keep a light burn- 

 ing in their bed-room, nor does it require to be snuffed. 



The proper size of the platina wire is the y^oth part of an 

 inch : a larger one will only yield a dull, red light, and a smaller 

 one is difficult to use. About 12 turns of the wire will be suf- 

 ficient, coiled around any cylindrical body suited to the size of 

 the wick of the lamp ; and four or five coils should be placed 

 on the wick, and the remainder of the wire above it ; and 

 which will be the part ignited. A wick, composed of twelve 

 threads of the ordinary sized lamp cotton yarn, with the pla- 

 tina wire coiled around it, will require about half an ounce of 

 alcohol to keep it alight for eight hours. 



An agreeable and slightly acid smell arises from this lamp 

 during its ignition. It is perfectly safe, as nothing can fall from 

 it ; and its novel appearance, in a wick's keeping red hot for 

 such a length of time, is very surprising to persons unac- 

 quainted with its nature. 



P. S. — When the wire has become oxided, it will be neces- 

 sary to uncoil it, and rub it bright again with fine glass-paper : 

 which will cause it to act again with increased effect. 



REMARK. 



Such wire as is here described may, probably, be obtained 

 in Philadelphia. 



