Lampas, or Descriptions of Mechanical Improvements of Lamps and Waterpoises

To make the explanation of the phenomena original: "Phænomena"; observable facts or events. observed regarding the longevity or extinguishing of a lamp's flame more clear and easy to understand, allow me to explain how it is produced and maintained through a diagram original: "Scheme", sketch, and description.

Let A A in the second diagram original: "Table" represent a body of oil, or any other combustible fluid substance. The surface original: "Superficies" of this oil, B B, is horizontal and nearly flat. [I say nearly flat, because it is always either concave or convex to some degree, depending on several circumstances—specifically, the size original: "capacity" and nature of the container original: "Vessel" E E in which it is held. For if the container is small and the oil has a greater attraction original: "congruity"; a term used in early physics to describe the attraction between molecules of different substances, similar to "wetting." to it than the air does, the surface of the oil will become very concave, especially toward the sides of the container as at C C. But if the container is repelled by original: "incongruous to" the oil, the surface will be convex as at D D. I have explained the reasons for this long ago in another work.]

Let F F in the third figure represent the wick, which consists of a great number of very fine cylinders or fibers original: "hairs" of cotton f f f twisted and laid very closely together. The oil—having a very great attraction original: "congruity" to them—easily works its way original: "insinuates itself" into and between these fibers and sticks to them. It is then forced up to a considerable height (such as an inch and a half or two inches) between them by the pressure of the air, which is much greater outside the wick than it is between those cylinders or fibers. If the oil is removed from the top by any means, the remaining oil in the container will rise to fill the empty space original: "vacancy" left by the part drawn off, as is clearly seen in the process of filtration original: "Filtration"; here referring to the way liquid travels through a porous material via capillary action.. The oil will certainly rise along the sides of this wick, and its surface will become concave as at G G. This is because unless there is an attraction between the oil and the wick, the oil will not rise within it; therefore, any substance that oil does not easily stick to cannot be a suitable material for that purpose.