for the year 18S5. xxiii' 



expected to come into much greater prominence, and be 

 used on a very large scale. This prediction is, according to 

 accounts received from England, in a fair way to be accom- 

 plished. Not only have gas engines of the ordinary type — 

 a type that is, theoretically, very imperfect — succeeded when 

 supplied with gas from a suitable gas-producing apparatus 

 in giving as much power per pound of coal as the very 

 largest and best steam engines, but a new type of gas engine 

 has been brought out, in which the principal defects of the 

 present form are remedied, and which, provided no unfore- 

 seen practical difficulty intervenes, will nearly double the 

 power obtained from a given quantity of gas. This new 

 engine, in conjunction with a proper gas-producer, should 

 far excel in economic result any steam engine ever made or 

 likely to be made. Amongst other advantages that will 

 accrue from the extended employment of gas as a motive 

 power will be the cessation of boiler explosions and the 

 abolition of the smoke nuisance, both matters of the highest 

 importance in large cities. 



In electric lighting a substantial advance is being effected. 

 The age of extravagant expectations and reckless speculation 

 being over, steady, slow, but healthy progress is the order of 

 the day. The incandescent lamp is now regarded as a 

 necessary fitting on board passenger steamers of any preten- 

 sions whatever, while on land permanent installations for 

 public buildings and private mansions are being from time 

 to time made. A great desideratum is some means of 

 storing up the electricity, some arrangement which shall 

 play a part analogous to the gasholder at a gasworks. At 

 present we work on what may be called the hand-to-mouth 

 system. The electricity is used just as fast as produced. 

 The slightest variation or most transient stoppage of the 

 generating mechanism dims or extinguishes the light. 

 Could we obtain some reliable accumulator or storage battery 

 it would afford invaluable help. But though many such 

 batteries have been made and tested, none have proved 

 permanently reliable. We must therefore do the best we 



