1868.] 4^Q [I'cckliam. 



making comparisons between them. I have not yet been able 

 to devote the length of time required to make a complete sepa- 

 ration of the proximate principles contained in the California 

 Oils, but have accomplished enough to strengthen my first im- 

 ])ression, tliat they arc unlike those of corresponding density 

 foniid in Pcnnsjdvania Oils. 



Having observed upon several occasions, small pools of Cali- 

 fornia maltha which were literall}' filled with the larva> of insects, 

 I was led to believe that those oils contained an unusually large 

 proportion of nitrogen. I therefore embraced the first opportu- 

 nit}' offered, to make analyses of several samples and compare 

 the results with that of an analysis of Pennsylvania Oil.* 



The samples of California Oil had been gathered about nine 

 months previous, that of Pennsylvania Oil I should think had 

 been gathered about five months. 



The results were as follows : 



1 Sample inin " mean 1.105 per cent. 



2 " 1.026 ) u 1 Aip5 u 



l.OOTj 



3 " I'ossi " ^-^^^^ " 



4 " Maltha '^.iVr " -5645 " 



.584) 



■D 1 • rk-1 (mean of three) mio u 



Pennsylvania Oil -I , - .1912 " 



•^ ( analyses j 



The first sample was more dense than the second, but had 

 been least exposed to atmospheric action. These results led me 

 to infer, that the change consisted in the breaking up of unstable 

 nitrogenous compounds, with deposition of uncombined carbon 

 and consequent thickening and blackening of the oil. 



One year later, wishing to test apparatus and materials for 

 the further prosecution of this research, I made a trial analj'Sis 

 of the first sample, and was surprised to find that the quantity 

 of nitrogen had diminished by more than one half. The anal}-, 

 sis was repeated with the following results : 



.493 



.485 



.486 mean .487*75 per cent. 



.48'7 



* Mr. Moss, Supt. of an Oil Estate near San Biicna Ventura, stated to nie 

 that oils fresh from tunnels, when exposed lor a low days in a shallow dish, 

 became filled with maggots. 



