The fireman remained so long invisible that serious doubts were entertained of his safety.
He at length, however, issued from the fiery gulf uninjured, and proud of having succeeded in braving so great a danger.
It is a remarkable result of these experiments, that the firemen are able to breathe without difficulty in the middle of the flames.

This effect is owing not only to the heat being intercepted by the wire-gauze as it passes to the lungs, in consequence of which its temperature becomes supportable, but also to the singular power which the body possesses of resisting great heats, and of breathing air of high temperatures.
A series of curious experiments were made on this subject by M.Tillet, in France, and by Dr.Fordyce and Sir Charles Blagden, in England.

Sir Joseph Banks, Dr.Solander, and Sir Charles Blagden entered a room in which the air had a temperature of 198 degrees Fahr., and remained ten minutes; but as the thermometer sunk very rapidly, they resolved to enter the room singly.

Dr.Solander went in alone and found the heat 210 degrees, and Sir Joseph entered when the heat was 211 degrees.
Though exposed to such an elevated temperature, their bodies preserved their natural degree of heat.

Whenever they breathed upon a thermometer it sunk several degrees; every expiration, particularly if strongly made, gave a pleasant impression of coolness to their nostrils, and their cold breath cooled their fingers whenever it reached them.