1 882. 49 Tratis. N. V. Ac. Scz. 



tion against the action of acids, and to make casks and other wooden ves- 

 sels water-tight, for coating corks, etc. ,for'air-tight wrappings, and, finally, 

 for the preparation of tracing paper. There are several methods of 

 obtaining paraffine from ozokerite (see the Encyclopedic Handbook of 

 Chemistry, by Benno Karl and F. Strohmann, Vol. IV., Brunswick, 



1877). 



The details of the technical process consist, in every case, in the dis- 

 tillation of the crude material, pressure of the distillate by hydraulic 

 presses, melting, and treating by sulphuric acid. 



In the manufacture of paraffine from ozokerite, there are produced 

 from 2 to 8 per cent, of benzine, from 15 to 20 per cent, of naphtha, 

 36 to 50 per cent, of paraffine, 15 to 20 per cent, of heavy oil for lubri- 

 cating, and 10 to 20 per cent, of coke, as a residue. 



{c.) Mineral oils, which are obtained at the same time with paraffine, 

 and are the same as those produced from crude petroleum, described 

 above. The process consists, as in the natural rock oils, besides the 

 distillation, in the treatment of the incidental products with acids and 

 alkahes. 



Of the products of ozokerite, manufactured in Galicia, the greater 

 part goes to Russia, Roumania, Turkey, Italy and Upper Hungary. The 

 common paraffine candles made in Gahcia — which are of various sizes, 

 from 28 to 160 per kilo — are used by the Jews in all Galicia, Bukowuina, 

 Roumania, Upper Hungary and Southern Russia, and form an impor- 

 tant article of commerce. Ceresine is exported to all the parts of the 

 world. Of late a considerable quantity is said to have been sent to the 

 East Indies, where it is used in the printmg of cotton." 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. KuNZ enquired whether any rocksalt occurred in Galicia ; 

 as a specimen in his possession was lined with ozokerite. 



Mr. Lay replied that no salt was found in that region. 



The President stated that ozokerite was undoubtedly a product 

 of petroleum. Little was known by the public concerning its use 

 and value. He exhibited specimens of natural brown ozokerite, of 

 yellow ozokerite, sold as beeswax, and of a white purified form, 

 which had been treated by sulphuric acid. Specimens from Utah 

 had already been shown before the Academy. There was no mys- 

 tery as to its genesis in either region, as it had been shown to be 

 the result of inspissation of a thick and viscid variety of petroleum. 

 The term " petroleum " includes a great variety of substances, from 

 a Umpid liquid, too hght to burn, to one that is thick and 



