210 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 



millions of tons ; in i860, 80 millions ; in 1870, it was 

 IlO;J/^ millions; in 1879, 140 millions; and now, 170 

 millions. 



In the manufacture of coal-gas an immense bulk of tai- 

 ls produced, and also a quantity of offensively smelling 

 water, which used commonly to be called " Blue Billy " as 

 it floated down the nearest river in ghastly blue patches. 

 These two products were formerly thrown away as useless 

 and deleterious, but now both are made to yield valuable 

 commodities. From the water Carbonate of Ammonia 

 to the extent of 2,000 tons, Sal Ammoniac 4,000 tons. 

 Sulphate of Ammonia 5,000 tons, and also considerable 

 quantities of Sulphuric Acid are annually extracted. 



But it is the tarry matter which has been made to yield 

 all sorts of extraordinary compounds. Such are Nitro- 

 benyol, used on account of its sw.eet taste and almond-like 

 odour to perfume soaps, and flavour confectionery ; 

 Aniline, the base of all the wonderful and brilliant dyes 

 which have of late years been so much used ; Carbolic 

 Acid, now of such vast utility ; l)Ut perhaps the most in- 

 teresting of all the products of coal-tar is Sohd Paraffin, 

 a colourless crystalline fatty substance, which may truly 

 be termed " Condensed Coal-gas." It is found in some 

 places naturally, constituting the minerals known as fossil 

 wax and ozokerit, but by far the greater bulk of Paraffin 

 is obtained by chemical processes from Bituminous Shale 

 or from Coal-tar. 



Thus, Coal-tar is gradually refined upon and improved 

 till the dirty mass becomes a Hquid of glowing tints, ready 

 to dye the most delicate silks, feathers, and other articles 

 through endless gradations of colour ; a few grains of 

 AniHne suffice to dye many yards of fabric, and it is well 

 it has this power, for two gallons of Coal-tar only yield 10 

 grains of Aniline. This same Coal-tar, formerly of so 

 little value that it almost puzzled gas-makers to get rid of 

 it, has become the basis of a most important industrial 



