Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/81

63&#93; LAM Value of one penny. And tliongh a candle, when newly snuffed, may appear to be preferable, yet the lamp is ultimately snptrior, both for steadiness and durability of light. Nay, one good lamp proved equal in its effect to half a dozen tallow candles, consisting of six in the pound, the expence of which was eight-pence, while that of the lamp amounted only to tivo- pe?ice halfpenny, in the space of seve.}i hours. LAMP-BLA.CK, is one of the black colouring matters, the pre- paration of which has already been stated, vol. ii. p. 35. We again introduce this sub- stance, as it possesses several re- markable properties : thus, lamp- black is liable to undergo spoQtane- ous inflammation, if it be kept for some time closely confined, and be afterwards suddenly exposed to the air : there have been instances of its taking tire in shops, and occa- sioning the most distressing scenes of coniiagration. But, when lamp- black is combined with oil, so as to form a black varnish, it appears from various experiments, that bo- dies painted with this compound resist the etfefts of electricity in a most surprizing degree 3 and that they have, in a variety of cases, even repelled lightning. In 179B, a patent was granted to Mr. William Row, for a new- invented mineral lamp-black. This is obtained from pit coal, or any other kind of fossil coal; the black- est particles arising from the smoke of which, are deposited in certain tubes, or receptacles, whence they are removed in tiie course of six or eight days, and packed up for sale, , For the particulars of this unex- pired patent, the inquisitive readet wiii conjuJt the lOih vol. of the LAM [63 Repertory, &:c. where the process is dnlv specified. LAIVIP.VS, in Farriery, de- notes an excrescence in the roof of a horse's mouth, whicti is some- times so luxuriant that it grows above the teetli, and thus prevents liis feeding. This malady may be cured by cauterizing the flesh with a hot iron ; an operation which should be carefully performed by a skilful Veterinary Surgeon, lest the swell- ed part be penetrated so deep, as to scale off the thin bone that lies under the upper bars : after having thus extirpated liie tumor, it wjU be necessary to anoint the sore parts with burnt alum and honey, wiiich form a very projr^r appliat- tion to an ulcerated mouth in ge- neral. LAMPREY, or Pctromyzov, L. a genus of fish compri^ing three speci'S, Ahich are chierly distin- guished by their peculiar back tins. 1. The niarinus, or Sea Lam- prey, which, in shape, resembles an eel, has small eyes, covei-ed with a hght blue membrane, and the pupil is encompassed v.it'i a gold- coloured ring. During cold w ei- ther, this fish conceals itself in the crevices of rocks ; on the peb- bly edges of which it is an usual expedient among anglers, to form pits extending to the water-side : into these a little blood is thrown. to induce die lamprey to put forth its head betv/een two rocks. As soon as the hook, v.hich is to be baited with crab, or some oilier liih, is presented, it is greedily swallowed, and thus the prey is easily taken. 2. The Jiiiviatilis, or Lesser La.m?rey ; the mouth of which is like that of the preceding, but the colour of its back u either browa or