The Oil-fields of Eastern Canada. — By R. W. Ells^ 

 LL.D., E. R. S. C, Geological Survey cf Canada, 

 Ottawa. 



(Read 12th March, 1906.) 



The occurrence of petroleum or rock-oil lias been known 

 from a very early date in the world's history. It is referred to 

 frequently in Holy Writ under such names as slime or pitch, 

 in connection with the building of the city of Babylon, the 

 construction of the ark, the preparation of the cradle of Moses,. 

 et<3. It was found in considerable quantity in the valley of the 

 Dead sea, whence it was transported to Egypt and to the ports 

 on the Mediterranean, where it was extensively employed in 

 ship-building, as well as by the Egyptians and other nations 

 in the embalming of the dead. Many references to this sub- 

 stance are also found in the works of profane writers, more- 

 especially of Herodotus, Plutarch, and Josephus; while the 

 ancient sect of Guebers or Eire-worshippers of Persia appar- 

 ently derived the visible symbol of their religion from the oil- 

 springs and accompanying natural gas of the Baku district, 

 now in southern Russia, but till within the last 200 years a part 

 of the Persian empire; or from similar occurrences in other 

 parts of Persia and in India, in both of which countries the 

 presence of this substance has been known for many centuries. 

 In some places also, as in China and Japan, natural gas, which 

 is frequently an accompaniment of petroleum, has been used 

 for a long period for both heating and lighting purposes. 



In certain parts of Europe where petroleum occurs in the 

 form of springs it has long been used medicinally, and has been 

 regarded as a valuable remedy for rheumatism and other 

 kindred diseases. So also in the early history of Canada and 

 tHe northern States, crude petroleum, under such names as 

 Seneca and British oil, was extensively employed for various 



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