A kind of furnace, which has long since fallen into disuse. The very long and durable operations of the ancient chemists rendered it a desirable requisite that their fires should be constantly supplied with fuel in proportion to the consumption. The athanor furnace was peculiarly adapted to this purpose. Beside the usual parts, it was provided with a hollow tower, into which charcoal was put. The upper part of the tower, when filled, was closely shut by a well-fitted cover, and the lower part communicated with the fire-place of the furnace. In consequence of this disposition, the charcoal subsided into the fire-place gradually, as the consumption made room for it; but that which was contained in the tower was defended from combustion by the exclusion of a proper supply of air. A variety of domestic stoves for burning bituminous coal, on the same principles, but with a different object, - that of burning the smoke, have of late years been introduced and patented. See Stove, and Grate.