[Illustration: Fig. 2. MECHANISM OR THE INDUCTION SPARK GAS LIGHTER.] The ingenious and new part of the system lies in the mode of exciting the induced currents. When the extremity of the tube, L, is brought near the gas burner that is to be lighted, it is only necessary to shove the botton, F, from left to right in order to produce a _limited_ number of sparks sufficient to effect the lighting. The motion of the button has not for effect, as might be believed, the closing of the circuit of the pile upon the inducting circuit of the bobbin. In fact in its normal position, the vibrator is distant from its contact, and the closing of the circuit would produce no action. The motion of F produces a _mechanical_ motion of the spring of the vibrator, which latter acts for a few instants and produces a certain number of contacts that give rise to an equal number of sparks. Owing to this arrangement, the expenditure of electric energy required by each lighting is limited; and, an another hand, the vibrator, which would be incapable of operating if it had to be set in motion by the direct current from the pile, can be actuated _mechanically_. As the motion of the vibrator is derived from the hand of the operator, and not from the pile, it will be comprehended that the latter can, everything being equal, produce a larger number of lightings than an ordinary bobbin and vibrator. [Illustration: Fig. 3.--INCANDESCENT GAS LIGHTER.] Dr. Naret's _Fiat Lux_ (Fig. 3) is simpler in its operation, and cheaper of application, since it takes its current from the ordinary piles that supply domestic call-bells. It consists essentially of a fine platinum wire supported by a tilting device in connection with the two poles of a pile composed of three Leclanche elements. Upon exerting a vertical pressure on the button placed to the left of the apparatus, either directly or by means of a cord, we at the same time turn the cock and cause the platinum spiral to approach, and the latter then becomes incandescent as a consequence of the closing of the circuit of the pile. After the burner is lighted it is only necessary to leave the apparatus to itself. The cock remains open, the spiral recedes from the burner, the circuit opens anew, and the burner remains lighted until the gas is turned off. This device, then, is particularly appropriate in all cases where there is a pressing need of light, for a single maneuver suffices to open the cock and effect a lighting of the burner.--_La Nature_. * * * * * DISTRIBUTION OF HEAT WHICH IS DEVELOPED BY FORGING.