TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 65 



piece of metal. A reflector is placed within the glass cylinder to di- 

 rect the light. 



In this lamp the flame is never extinguished : in an explosive atmo- 

 sphere loud noises give indication of danger : it is of cheap construction, 

 and economizes oil, but cannot be intrusted to the workmen who are 

 engaged in drawing coals along the galleries of the mine. 



It was stated that this lamp had been favourably reported on by M. 

 Charles Combes, Ingenieur des Mines. 



Notice of a Chemical Abacus. By Dr. D. B. Reid. 



This instrument consisted of a frame of wood, across which wires 

 were placed, and upon which beads were strung, as in the instrument 

 which is employed by Chinese clerks, and is to be found in most 

 museums. Each wire corresponds to a chemical element, and the 

 beads to atoms, while the names of the elements are placed on the 

 frame at the extremities of the wires. 



Remarks on Gas-Lighting. By the Count du Valmerino. 



GEOLOGY. 



On the Formation of Local Museums. By William Sharp, Esq., 

 F.R.S., F.G.S., F.R.A.S., President of the Bradford Philosophical 



Society, ^c, Yorkshire. 



The author, after deprecating the heterogeneous nature of the col- 

 lections in local museums, proceeds to point out the plan recommended 

 by himself, and adopted by the Bradford Society, in which it appears 

 that the primary object is a collection of the natural objects of the di- 

 strict within fifteen miles of the town. The museum is intended to in- 

 clude geological specimens illustrative of the structure of the neigh- 

 bourhood, and in reference to quarries, manufactures and agriculture ; 

 the vegetable productions, with a view to improvements in cultivation ; 

 the animals of the district ; and facts relating to the meteorology, po- 

 pulation, manufactures and general statistics. 



On the Origin of the Tubular Cavities filled with Gravel and Sand, 

 called " Sandpipes" in the Chalk near Norwich. By C. Lyell, 

 Esq.,F.R.S., V.P.G.S., with Additional Facts by J.B.Wigham,^*^. 

 The chalk near Norwich is covered with ferruginous gravel, sand 



and loam, occasionally containing crag shells. The surface of the 

 1839. F 



