To prevent accidents with paraffin or petroleum lamps, the following precautions ought to be observed:—
The lamps should be filled and trimmed by daylight.
They should never be overfilled; the oil should not be allowed to come into contact with the metal work of the burner.
Any portion of oil spilled on the outside of the lamp should be carefully wiped away.
When not in use the wick should be turned down into the wick-holder.
⁂ The principal products noticed below rank high among the numerous varieties of mineral oil now in the market, but there are doubtless many others equally good and safe. Their properties are described in accordance with the results obtained by Mr W. B. Tegetmeier, who has devoted much time to the examination of the mineral oils:—
Oil, Al′bertite. From ‘Albertite,’ a lustrous black mineral found in New Brunswick. A sample was shown in the Colonial Department of the International Exhibition of 1862, but the oil has not yet appeared in the English market.
Prop. Odour very slight; illuminating power high; boiling point 338° Fahr., or 126° above that of water.
Oil, American. See Petroleum oil (below).
Oil, Apyroec′tic. Syn. Non-explosive oil. A burning oil, introduced by F. Tall, of Hull, and prepared, we believe, from American petroleum.