The pile is a bichromate of
potash element, in which there is substituted for the liquid a
solution of bichromate identical with that used in bottle piles. The
zinc is suspended from a small lever, in which it is only necessary to
press slightly to bring the former in contact with the asbestos paste,
when, the zinc being attached, a current is set up which traverses the
spiral, heats it to redness, and lights the spirit. The pile, when
once charged, may be used for several hundred lightings. When the
spiral no longer becomes red hot, it is only necessary to replace the
paste--an operation of extreme simplicity. When the pressure is
removed from the little lever, the zinc, being raised, is no longer
acted upon by the liquid with which the asbestos is saturated. Mr
Desruelles is constructing upon the same principle a gas lighter, the
pile of which is fixed at the extremity of a handle whose length
varies with the height of the gas burners to be reached. These little
domestic apparatus are being exhibited at the Paris Electrical
Exhibition.
* * * * *
SOLENOID UNDERGROUND WIRES IN PHILADELPHIA.
The _Evening Bulletin_ of the 29th October has the following:
This afternoon a series of experiments were conducted at the Public
Buildings which will be of great interest to electricians all over the
country, and upon which the success of a number of underground
telegraph projects in different parts of the United States depends.
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