196 



The Ventilation of Coal Mines. 



[April, 



respired air. - In this apparatus the air is sometimes distributed to 

 a particular kind of lamp at the same time as to the lungs, where 

 an ordinary lamp or a Davy could not be used ; but in this case 

 an electric light burning in a closed tube is always the safest means 

 of lighting. In the accompanying plate each of these three kinds of 

 apparatus is represented ; and for the drawings of the apparatus 

 invented by M. Gralibert, and that of M. Eouquayrol, we are 

 indebted to ' La Tie Souterraine ' of M. Simonin — a book of much 

 interest, which we understand will be published in English by 

 Messrs. Chapman and Hall. 



Provided with this apparatus of Eouquayrol, a man can breathe 

 with fhe same ease under water ; some successful experiments have 

 been made at the bottom of rivers and at the bottom of the sea. 

 The apparatus is far preferable to the awkward and heavy apparatus 

 which is usually worn by divers. In mines it may be used, if 

 necessary, for working under water at the bottom of sinkings, as for 

 repairing broken pumps. 



In M. Eouquayrol's arrangements provision is made for supply- 

 ing air to a lamp. A much more simple and ingenious arrangement 

 has been invented in this country by Mr. Samuel 

 Higgs, junior, of Penzance. The object of this 

 invention is to provide a good and safe light in 

 exploring the dangerous parts of coal mines, or, 

 in cases of accident, to ensure a continuous light 

 in searching for any unfortunate miners who 

 may still be alive, but unable to escape without 

 aid. The lamp consists of the best form of the 

 Davy lamp, with a steel cylinder below it. Into 

 this atmospheric air is condensed by an ordinary 

 air-pump. There is a tube through which the 

 air is admitted to the flame, within the wire- 

 gauze, and the quantity required is regulated 

 by a screw valve, as shown in the annexed 

 woodcut. The weight of this lamp complete is 

 not more than five pounds, and a good and safe 

 light can be maintained for some time. 



We call attention to these arrangements in the hope that 

 they — or some modification of them — may be so far adopted as 

 to be always at hand in collieries where they are working upon 

 seams of coal known to be fiery. 



It was our purpose to have remarked on the methods by which 

 a safe and sufficient light is obtained for use in the coal-mines ; 

 and also to have examined into the value of AnselTs very ingeni- 

 ous Fire-damp Indicator. The question of ventilation, although 

 popularly treated of, has, however, occupied the space which is, at 

 present, at our disposal. 



