1869.] Stebbins' Improved Portable Gas Apparatus. 765 not fail to be readily understood. The machine consists of few parts, so com- bined as to remove the liability to get out of order. It is adapted to ordinary dwellings, shops, churches, schools, hotels, factories, &c, and can he used on a large scale like coal gas, for lighting whole villages. A child, by a few minutes labor, can supply the light for a dwelling for an evening. The gas flows with the greatest free- dom through the pipes to any height. The light is unsurpassed for brilliancy, purity and steadiness. There is no sediment gathering in the pipes. Ordinary prudence renders it absolutely safe, and it costs one-fourth the average price of coal gas. This apparatus has been introduced into Amherst College, Massachusetts, and carefully tested by the distinguished Professor of Chemistry in that Insti- tution. His testimony, worth a volume of unscientific commendation, is> con- clusive as to all the important points above stated. Professor Harris says: "The ma- chine in its present position ("six feet from furnace) is .fully endorsed by all the Insurance Companies, six (6) in num- ber — some of the best in the country." It may here be mentioned, that sev- eral other first-class companies have given their approval — among which is the Continental of New York, one of the largest. " I find it, " continues Professor H., "safer than coal gas, and to my surprise, having mixed it with all possible proportions of air, I am not able to get an explosive mixture. "Its illuminating power in an Argand burner, consuming three and one-half feet per hour, is eighteen candles. (The same burner will consume seven feet of coal gas and only equal the light of six- teen candles.) " The flame is not thick and opaque, as in all other gas machines from gaso- line I have seen, but is clear and steady as in coal gas, and there is no per- ceptible odor from the burning of it. "It is well adapted for Laboratory purposes, working well in a Bunsen burner, and giving a good and elegant ^ii A, Pipe leading from Blower to Water-valve. B, Pipe leading from Water-valve to Carburetter. C, Pipe for filling and emptying Carburetter. D, Escape for air while filling Carburetter. E, Pipe leading from Carburetter to Receiver. F, Service pipe. G, Drip pipe. E, Internal Cylinder.
