< Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 7.djvu
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THE PYROPHONE.
"If two flames of a certain size be introduced into a tube made of glass, and if they be so disposed that they reach the third part of the tube's height (measured from the base), the flames will vibrate in unison. This phenomenon continues as long as the flames remain apart; but as soon as they are united the sound ceases."

Passing on to his experiments, M. Kastner thus gives his account:

"I took a glass tube, the thickness of which was 21⁄2 millimetres; this tube was 55 centimetres long, and its exterior diameter measured 41 millimetres. Two separate flames of hydrogen gas were placed at a distance of 183 millimetres from the base of the tube. These flames, while separated, gave F natural.
"As soon as the flames are brought together, which is done by means of a very simple mechanism, the sound stops altogether. If, letting the flames remain apart, their position is altered until they reach one-third of the total length of the tube, the sound will diminish gradually; and it will cease completely if the flames go beyond one-half the length of the tube; under this (one-half the length of the tube) the sound will increase until the flames are brought to one-fourth of the tube's total length. This latter point being reached, the sound will not cease immediately, even if the two flames are placed in contact one with the other; but the two flames, thus united, continue vibrating in the same manner as a single flame would.
"The interference of the singing-flames can only be obtained under certain conditions. It is important that the length of the tubes should be varied according to the number of the flames, the height of which has only a limited action or influence over the phenomenon; but the special shape of the burners is a matter of considerable importance.
"These experiments, which I undertook two years ago, induced me to construct a musical instrument, possessing quite a novel sound, which resembles the sound of the human voice. This instrument, which I term the Pyrophone, is formed by three sets of keys (claviers) disposed in a similar manner to that employed for the conjunction of the organ-key tables; a very simple mechanism causes every key of the different sets to communicate with the supply-pipes in the glass tubes. As soon as a key is pressed upon, the flames, by separating, create a sound; but when the keys are left untouched, the flames are brought together and the sound stops."

In consequence of this communication a commission from the Académie des Sciences de Paris was selected for the examination of this curious invention, consisting of Messrs. Jamin, Regnault, and Bertrand, three distinguished members of that Academy, who showed a lively interest from a scientific point of view in M. Kastner's discovery. After fresh experiments, M. Kastner has succeeded in substituting the ordinary illuminating gas for hydrogen. gas in working this pyrophone, and his friend the Baron Larrey was again the interpreter to 1' Académie des Sciences of this new discovery, which much facilitates the employment of the luminous musical instrument. M. Kastner thus expresses himself in his new report presented to the Institut de France, December 7, 1874:

"The principal objection which has been made to the working of the pyrophone is the employment of hydrogen gas. From a practical point of view, this
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