Sir,

It has occurred to me, that the following fact may be useful to you in your investigations.

About a fortnight ago a considerable escape of gas was observed in one stable, a plumber was sent for to ascertain the cause and made the following remarkable discovery; the escape proceeded from three holes about $\frac{3}{4}$ of an inch apart wh: had been gnawed by rats in an ordinary lead gas-pipe, running between the ceiling of the stable & the board of the Hay-loft above.¹ The fact is entirely new to me but the plumber had known cases where rats has gnawed holes in lead gas & water-pipes, but the interest of the present case is increased by the circumstance that in gnawing the 2^nd. & 3^rd. holes the rat must have been subjected to the smell &c of the gas escaping from the first,² Since the communication with the main pipe is constant.

I am, Sir, | Y^rs. Faithfully | J. A. Ransome-Marriott.