ISOS.] ^^"J [rcckhuiii. 



which everywhere infiltrates the terrestrial crust comes, in con- 

 tact with the alkali metals at a high temperature, acetylicles 

 are formed. These same acetylicles also result from contact of 

 the earthy carbonates with the alkali metals even below a dull 

 red heat. 



" Now the alkaline acetylides thus produced could be subjected 

 to the action of vapor of water ; free acetyline would result, if 

 the products were removed immediately from the influence of 

 heat and of hydrogen (produced at the same time by the reac- 

 tion of water upon the free metals) and the other bodies which 

 are found present. But in consequence of the different condi- 

 tions the acetyline would not exist, as has been proved by my 

 recent experiments. 



" In its place we obtain either the products of its condensa- 

 tion, which aiiproach the bitumens and tars, or the products of 

 the reaction of hydrogen upon those bodies already- condensed. 

 That is to sa3\ more hydrogenated caibides. For example, h}^- 

 drogen reacting upon the acetylene, engenders eth3dene and h}-- 

 dride of ethylene. A new reaction of the hydrogen either upon 

 the polymeres of acetylene or upon those of ethylene would en- 

 gender formenic carbides, the same as those which constitute 

 American petroleum. An almost unlimited diversity in the re- 

 action is here possible, according to the temperature and the 

 bodies present. 



" We can thus imagine the production by a purely mineral 

 method, of all the natural carbides. The intervention of heat, 

 of water and the alkali metals, together with the tendency of the 

 carbides to unite with each other to form matters more con- 

 densed, are sufficient to account for the formation of these 

 curious compounds. Their formation could thus be effected in 

 a continuous manner, because the reactions which give birth to 

 them are continually renewed. >(; * * 



" This hypothesis is susceptible of further development, but I 

 prefer to dwell within the limits authorized by my experiments 

 without wishing to announce other than geological possibil- 

 ities."* 



I am convinced that the remains of animal life have contrib- 

 uted mucli more largely to the formation of petroleum than has 

 been generally supposed, and further that the different varieties 



* Annalcs dc Clicmic. ct dc Physique, Dec, 18G6. 



