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contrivance somewhat resembling the instruments described 

 in the specifications of my patents, containing naphtha, a flame 

 of unusual steadiness and beauty was produced. 



*' But there is one modification of the invention which far 

 surpasses all the rest in the facility with which it can be car- 

 ried into profitable eflfect, and the universality of its applica- 

 tion. I shall proceed to describe it. 



" As soon as I ascertained that the vapour of naphtha so 

 easily diffuses itself through various gases, it became a ques- 

 tion would naphtha comport itself similarly with atmospheric 

 air, and if so, might not naphthalized common air, notwith- 

 standing the presence of so much azote, afford a flame capable 

 of affording a strong illumination ? Experiment proved that 

 the suspicion was well founded. I tried many methods. I 

 found that a mixture of air and naphtha vapour, in a certain 

 ratio, would burn with a very white and brilliant flame ; 

 that if the ratio of naphtha were too small, the flame was blue 

 and illuminous, like that of carbonic oxide : and that if the 

 ratio were too great, the light was yellow or brown and smoky. 

 The diflBculty was to contrive self-acting means adequate to 

 the apportioning of a sufficient quantity, and no more, of 

 naphtha vapour, to the atmospheric air. My first trials were 

 made with a gasometer filled with common air, which air, 

 being passed over extensive surfaces of naphtha, held ab- 

 sorbed in a roll of hempen canvas, instead of wire-gauze, and 

 maintained at a certain degree of heat, dissolved a portion. 

 The naphthalized air being forced through the holes of a 

 burner, and kindled, afforded a blue flame which showed no 

 light, for the naphtha was too far from the heat of the burner 

 to be maintained at a suflBcient temperature. 



" I next procured an apparatus in which the burner com- 

 municated sufficient heat to the naphtha, and thus obtained a 

 white light ; but the jet arising from each hole in the burner 

 was distinct, and the cylinder of flame, instead of being conti- 

 nuous, consisted of separate threads of light. 



