Page:Repository of Arts, Series 1, Volume 01, 1809, January-June.djvu/204

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The cylinder a, fig. 1, is about nine inches long, and half an inch in diameter : it terminates in a screw at b, on which screws the magazine c, intended to hold match- es, a bougie, and some fungus. A steel rod, a, is attached to a solid piston, or plunger, not shewn in the tigure, it being within the tube. This rod has a milled head, b ; and at g there is a small hole in the tube to admit the air, when the pis- ton is drawn up to the top, where a piece unscrews, for the purpose of applying oil or grease to the piston. I have found lard to an- swer the end best. Method of using it. Take from the magazine a small piece of fungus, and place it in the chamber at b : screw the piece c tight on n, and draw the piston up Ivy the end &, till it stops at a. Hold the instrument with both hands in the manner represented in fig. 2 ; place the end b on a table, or against any firm body, cither in a perpen- dicular, horizontal, or vertical di- rection, and force the piston down to b with as much rapidity as pos- sible. This rapid compression of (he air will cause the fungus to take fire. Instantly after the stroke of the piston, unscrew the magazine C, when the air will rush in, and keep up the combustion till the fun- gus is consumed. Observe, in light- ing a match, the fungus must be lifted up a little from the chamber, so as to allow the match to be in- troduced beneath it, otherwise it will not kindle. Here it may be remarked, the in- strument thus constructed, has a decided advantage over the fire- cane, where the fungus is inserted at such a depth as not easily to be got at : it is only about half the price, and it is very portable, so that a gentleman may easily carry it in his pocket, without the in- cumbrance of a stick, that has more resemblance to the club of Hercules, than to a fashionable or ordinary walking stick. I am, Sin, Your obedient humble servant, R. Bancks. No. 441, Strand. N. B. Common tinder might be used instead of the fungus ; and various other bodies may be ignited by this apparatus.