192 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



means of railroads, to supply in good part this great commercial need, 

 is quite certain. 



MINING FOR PETROLEUM AND ASPHALTUM. 



Petroleum and asphaltum both exist in California in quantities that 

 impart to them decided value in the view of economists. The latter is 

 found in immense beds on the sea shore in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, 

 whence it is exported, mostly to this city, being used largely in the 

 construction of sidewalks, roofing, and for which and similar purposes 

 it is well adapted. A company has been formed for carrying on the busi- 

 ness in all its branches, whose operations are said to be rapidly extend- 

 ing. In a climate where the heat is never great, like that of San Fran- 

 cisco, asphaltum answers admirably for sidewalks and roofing. At a 

 high temperature this substance softens too much to serve well for these 

 uses. An extensive deposit of asphaltum has lately been found eighteen 

 miles west of Buena Yista Lake. It boils -up from numerous springs, 

 being warm and in a fluid state, and about the consistence of molasses 

 when it comes to the surface. As it cools it hardens, taking the form of 

 asphaltum — being in its liquid state, and limpid, called petroleum. It is 

 usually, as it flows from the ground, dark and viscid, thence the popular 

 name of tar springs. During the past summer an extensive spring of 

 this kind was discovered in the neighborhood of Pyramid Lake, the bitu- 

 minous substance being quite hot and thick as tar. 



Petroleum springs, being what constitute the oil wells of Pennsylvania 

 and other eastern localities, are met with at many points on this coast, 

 though the only ones being at present systematically worked, so far as 

 Ave know, is that at Santa Cruz and another near San Pablo, in Contra 

 Costa County, about ten miles from this city. An association under 

 the name of the Conway Petroleum Company has been incorporated for 

 prosecuting the business at the latter point. Under the direction of their 

 Superintendent, J. H. White, a man of much scientific knowledge and 

 practical skill, they have commenced expensive operations, having bored 

 a series of wells, one of which is already discharging a small quantity of 

 superior oil. Another of these wells, having been sunk to a depth of 

 four hundred and twenty-five feet, struck a reservoir of water which is 

 now ejecting at the rate of fifteen thousand gallons a day, throwing it 

 thirty-five feet above the surface. Iron pipes are being prepared, with 

 a view to carrying this well still deeper, and the company feel confident 

 of obtaining a workable supply of oil. Our knowledge of the best modes 

 of refining these oils is limited, the art being yet in a crude state. There 

 are those amongst us, however, who would seem to understand it, sam- 

 ples of both the illuminating and lubricating oils produced by the Super- 

 intendent of the Conway Company evincing that he has pretty well 

 mastered its difficulties. 



It is from this petroleum the kerosene and coal oils are distilled. 

 Prom a report made by Commissioners appointed to institute tests, it 

 also appears that it can be employed economically to generate steam, 

 being a saving of many per cent over any other known fuel. A varnish 

 has also been prepared from it by Captain White, which is believed to 

 be unsurpassed as a material for coating the bottom of vessels, and also 

 preserving wood from rot, and protecting piles from the ravages of the 

 borer. Meeting so many wants in daily life and the mechanic arts, this 

 class of substances must soon come to occupy a very prominent place in 

 the staple products of the country. The works alluded to at Santa Cruz 



