Put some granulated zinc in an ordinary wine-bottle, and pour in a
mixture of water and sulphuric acid, four parts of the former to one of
the acid; through a hole in the cork run a glass tube, and cork the
bottle. The decomposition of the water will send up some hydrogen gas,
which will drive out the common air, and then the touch of a light to
the tip of the tube will inflame the gas as it rises, and produce a
faint light, scarcely visible by day. The heat, however, is so intense
that it will melt metal and make platinum white hot. You may collect the
steam inside a tumbler held over the flames, being caused by the
hydrogen forming water by its union with the oxygen of the air.
2nd. In the cork of a jar of oxygen, is a long wire, at the lower end of
which is a copper cup, to contain a piece of lighted phosphorus. In an
instant a light more extreme than the sight can sustain, is produced and
the bottle will seem to be full of light. Pure oxygen would probably
cause the jar to be burst by its heat, so its weakening by one-quarter
of its bulk by air will be advisable.
3rd. Fasten a point of charcoal on the end of a coil of soft iron wire,
which is hung from the cork of the jar of oxygen, and on lighting the
charcoal the flame will catch the wire and throw out a brilliant light.
The sparks will be formed by the union of the metal and gas forming
oxide of iron. They will be very hot, and may even pierce the side of
the bottle.
4th. Light some sulphuret of carbon in a dish, and on presenting a brush
of steel wire to the flames an illumination will be had.
5th. A small coil of platinum wire put in, or a little oxide of zinc
poured on, the flame of a lighted jet of hydrogen gas will furnish a
bright light.
6th. Magnesium ignited gives a brilliant flame. The wire is to be fed by
clockwork to a light, or simply held by the hands.
7th. A red-hot iron wire dropped into a jar of oxygen gas, tightly
covered over, will scintillate and be strongly luminous. The sparks that
fall will break the glass, except for the precaution of a layer of fine
sand at the bottom. Into the same gas place a firefly, “lightning bug,”
or glow-worm, and the light will be uncommonly vivid. So with a lighted
candle.