[Illustration:  FIGS. 2 AND 3.]

Finally, when the telephone is unhooked, the inductor, J, and the bell, W, are thrown out of circuit, and the telephone is interposed between d and i, that is, between L and T.—­La Lumiere Electrique.

* * * * *

THE GERARD ELECTRIC LAMP.

In the Gerard incandescent lamp the carbons have the form of a V. They are obtained by agglomerating very finely powdered carbon, and passing it through a draw plate.  At their extremity they are cemented together with a small quantity of carbon paste, and their connection with the platinum conducting wires is effected by means of a cylinder of the same paste surmounted by a cone.  These couplings secure a good contact, and, by their dimensions, prevent the attachments from becoming hot and consequently injuring the carbon at this point.  The cone forms a connection of decreasing section, and prevents the carbon from getting broken during carriage.

This process of manufacture permits of obtaining lamps of all intensities, from 3 candles up.  The following, according to Mr. Gerard, are the consumptions of energy in each size of lamp: 

Candles.    Volts.    Amperes. 
No. 0.      10         16       1.5
"  1.      25         25       2
"  2.      50         30       2.5

[Illustration:  GERARD’S INCANDESCENT LAMP.]

It will be seen that these lamps require a relatively intense current with much less fall of potential than the Swan, for example—­this being due to the diameter of the filament.  But, what is an inconvenience as regards mounting, if we wish to supply them by ordinary machines (for they must be mounted in series of 3 on each derived circuit if the machine gives, as most frequently the case, 100 volts), is an advantage as regards the quality and steadiness of the light and the duration of the lamps.

The part in which the energy is expended is homogeneous, as might be supposed from the mode of manufacture, and as may be ascertained from a microscopical examination, and it is exempt from those variations in composition that are found in carbons of a vegetable nature, like the Edison.  Besides, being of relatively large diameter, the lamp is capable of supporting a very great increase of temperature.

The process employed for fixing the lamps is as simple as can be.  Each platinum wire is soldered to a piece of copper that surrounds the base of the lamp and that is fixed to the glass with a special cement.  These two armatures intertwine, but at a sufficient distance apart to prevent contact.  They carry a longitudinal projection and an inflation that fit by hard friction into two copper springs connected electrically with the circuit.  It is only necessary to lift the lamp in order to remove it from the support; and the contrary operation is just as easy.—­Le Genie Civil.