Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-02-23

length of time. These spots, marked
by want Of vegetation, and IA blacknessa
on the surface Of the earth, are CON-
prised within an area of four acres:
Be tween this site and the lake, there are
other places of a similar appearance
When this land was first cleared about
thirty years ago, it resembled quag-
mlre, and since its Improvement and ex-
posure to the sun, the earth has become
more compact. The surface is light
mould, and under that rests a blush
clay, TO the depth of seven or eight
feet.
In one Of these places, whence in -
tiammable air issues, the proprietors
have sunk well of the depth of about
eight feet. The air constantly rises
through water at the bottom of it.,
and has been confined at the top by
pianks and earth. liz the centre of these
planks has been fitted section of hol-
low tree, to the height of three OF four
feet, and secured in such a manner as to
form pent-stock. From this pent-
stock the air has been conducted in
pump-logs, of one and half inch cali
bre, to the house, distant twenty-seven
rods. BY the side of the house is raised
another pent-stock, and into its side, at
the height of about six feet, is inserted.
the muzzle OF gun-barrel. This gun
barrel conveys the gas two or three feet
into his kitchen, and through the proper
aperture In the side of the barrel, there
issues stream of air, when burning, to
produce flame of fourteen inches in
height. On removing the wooden
breech-pin, the flame issues from the
end thereof, and rises about four feet
before the combustion is complete
The logs are continued under the house,
and from them another gun-barreI OF
three-tourth inch calibre, conducts it
into culinary stove, through its bottom
plate. On Lighting this current of air,
dlffused by tin, perforated in the shape
OF an inverted cullender bottom, sufi-
cient heat is created 10 warm stove for
the purposes of baking and cooking
Next the apertures whence the air is
sues, it burns with blue fame for the
distance of two or three inches, and the
remainder assumes ordinary appearance
es. By night, in the blue flame, you
frequently observe slight scintilIations.
On extinguishing the flame, and letting
the air escape, the room is shortly filled
with an air unfit for respiration. Persons
experience sense of sufTocation by
breathing it freely. The stoppage of
the apertures, o: the combustion of this
air, renders the atmosphere of the room
salubrious. On filling the stove with
This air, aud reminding it, it is SO mixed
with atmospheric air, as TO cause slight
explosion, sufficient to force open the
doors of the stove, and then burns stead
lily. On the sides of the stove and aper-
lures, there collects a beautiful oily
lamp black.
This natural curiosity, thus improved
and managed by art, excites the atten-
ton OF people, aud the number of visit
ants is so great as 10 interrupt the ordi-
nary domestic concerns of the family
Therefore, for selEprotection, thew
have commenced tayern-keepiug. The
novelty of warming and lighting this
house, and the mode of cooking practic-
ed induce the learned and unlearned,
idle and curious, beaux and bellies, TO
visit this place of resort. Perhaps not
more than one-twentieth part of the air
capable OF being collected and applied
10 use,> is concentrated by this rude ap-
paratus. The disclosure Of these facts
furnishes suitable subject for the natu-
railst and philosopher. This air is de-
nominated carburetted hydrogen gas, by
the most intelligent. Its analysis is a
desIderatum, and would probably afford
further practical results, and hereafter
lead 10 important discoveries.