Black and white illustration depicting a chamber with bursts of heat emitting from either side. The scene represents an environment in which the Bessemer process may be conducted. The Bessemer process, developed by Sir Henry Bessemer (1813-1898), is a steel-production process using extreme heat to separate excess amounts of carbon and impurities from an iron sample. The illustration accompanies text describing heavy metals and their commonly occurring compounds.

This plate is from the publication, Wonders of Electricity and the Elements, an educational volume covering a variety of topics related to electricity and the chemical elements in two parts. The first half of the volume is devoted to electrical and magnetic discoveries and modern electric machines, including the telegraph, while the second half explores the elements through the categories of metals, bases, salts, and acids. The volume is profusely illustrated throughout, including many illustrations depicting a range of scientific experiments and electrical machinery. An extensive listing of other Ward, Lock & Co. publications completes the volume.