The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-15
AN EYE OF FIRE.
one OF the Most Wonderful Things Done
by the Electric Light.


| by the Electric Light.
When it was discovered that an arti-
fcial light that very closely resembles
the natural light of day could be pro-
duced from electricity, and that it could
be so easily provided as to take, in a
great measure. the place of gas for
}hghting purposes, every body was
naturally astonished and thought that
the electricians were the greatest men
on earth. The new system was hardly
old enough to be an assured success.
before lot of wise men began consid--
ering the ACCESSIBILITY of devotinc this
light to greater purpose than that of
mere " lighting mp the humdrum affairs
of everyday life.
As an experiment. a small incandes-
cent light was thrust beneath the water
in fountain. The effect was superb
while it lasted. but the water managed
to work its way into the globe and tho
light was extinguished. This gave the.
electricians something to think about.
and they began Immediately to rack
their brains for means of keeping the
water away from the source of light
A coating of rubber was finally placed
| over the joint where the glass globe
joins the brass holder, and over this
was drawn rubber bag that fitted
tightly over the top of the globe and
around the pipe throug Oh which the wire
passed. This promised to be successful,
but brief experiment showed that the
glass was not strong enough to stand
the pressure of water. and after being
exposed 70 it for short time would
collapse. A globe was then made of
plate glass that proved able to stand the
strain.
For some time this was only used in
lighting up fountains by way of an
ornament. Then it occurred to Prof.
Baird of the United States Fish Com
mission; that if 4 light could be used
under water it would prove of great
advantage to him in his search. for fish
that never allowed themselves to be
caught by any of the old-fashioned
methods He believed that there ex--
isted at Z great depth in the ocean
various kinds of fish that had never
been seen. Every boy who has ever
lived near the water knows that a
favOrite method of catching cells is to.
lure them within spearing distance by
4 bright light placed in the bow Of u
boat. Light not only attracts eels, but
every thing else that lives in the water.
and the professor was sure that if "a
light could be made to live ut great
depth Ill the water the reward would be
great.
The steamer AlbatrosS, of the COM
was provided with an engine
and = dynamo. A liberal supply of
heavy glass globes that would hold a
light equal to the lighting power of one
hundred candles. WAS placed on board,
and equipped with other necessary ar
ticles, such as lot of insulated wire, n
large quantity of light strong rope. and
a number of heavy weights to serve as
sinkerS. the steamer started ont. The
first attempt was unsuccessful, for ut u
depth of 1000 fathOms the pressure
was so great upon the globe that it
broke. Another trial was speedily
made with heavier globes. and they
we're found able TO stand the pressure
If any depth to which they could be
sunk. But the most wonderful part of
his trial trip, which took place some
hing like three years ago, was related
% Secretary Frank S. Hastings, of the
Edison Electric Light Company, by
Prof. Baird.
At point near the Bahamas, ac-
cording to the professor, the light was
dropped overheard and sunk by means.
Of heavy weights to nearly one thou
sand fathOmS below the surface On
he deck of the vessel stood the crew
With nets ready to drop them under the
isb that were lured from their homes
d the great depth. The light was
allowed to remain in the water for some
ime and then it was slowly raised. It
ooked like the reflection of star in
he water at first, and its rays were
cen, and in them were visible the forms
f darling fish. The light soon lit up
Tater for twenty feet around. and D.
Teird assortment of fish that had never
efore been heard of was seen. When
ear the surface the entrails of some Of
hese fish burst from their mouths.
The professor ascribed this" said
fr. Hastings, ito the inward pressure,
Iature had made them so that they
Ould live in the great depths in which
ley were found, and when this pres
IRE of the deep water was removed
lere was counteracting force that.
lied them"
The dead fish were just rs useful for
lie purpose for which the professor
snted them as live ones. and he
altered in 4 great many rare and GU
Gus specimens without much trouble.
he light was also used to good pur--
ose for discovering the various depths
which different kinds of fish lived
ticGJo Times.