132 



Selections. 



[NO. 5, NEW SERIES, 



The above experiments showed that although the attempts to 

 kindle the protected corners of the hut had ultimately succeeded, 

 in one instance, by the maintenance of a fierce fire for several 

 minutes against the wood, and in the other by the immediate vici- 

 nity, and even actual contact, of a highly heated stove with the 

 wood, for a great length of time. — 



1st. The prepared surfaces of wood, having been thoroughly 

 • baked, only burned as long as they were in close contact with 

 burning, or highly heated matter, or for an instant when exposed 

 to a powerful current of air ; and did not possess any tendency to 

 lead the fire along, this being only effected by the unprepared 

 portion of the wood : 



2nd. At any period during the four hours, for which time the 

 fire was allowed to exert its uncontrolled effect upon the prepared 

 portions of the hut, the burning parts of the building could have 

 been with ease extinguished, by means of a couple of pails of 

 water. <, 



Experiment 3. 



While the experiments with the hut were being carried on, some 

 pieces of prepared and of unprepared planking were piled together 

 in two similar heaps in the open air, and a fire of shavings and 

 wood-chips was made up under them. 



The comparative tardiness with which the prepared planks in- 

 flamed, and the difference in time required to effect the actual 

 ignition'of these and that of the unprepared planks was very evi- 

 « dent, as was also the case with pieces of planks which had been 

 piled up against the sides of the stoves in the building. 



The prepared boards upon which the fire had been kept up in 

 the corner of the hut were also examined, and found to be but 

 little affected by their protracted contact with burning matter. 



The wood had only caught at the edges, and was found smoul- 

 dering there in two or three places. 



By submitting the glimmering portion to the blast of a bellows, 

 a small flame was produced, which went out immediately on the 

 removal of the current of air, 



