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latter beds contain dark leathery shales, which emit a strong 

 odour of petroleum. But the Kimmeridge clays are specially 

 characterised by indications of the oil, and their shales have 

 been worked during past years in Dorsetshire, where petroleum 

 has been obtained from them by distillation. The most in- 

 teresting part of the problem is whether free petroleum may be 

 met with at a lower depth. The experience in America is that 

 the gas is first encountered, and the oil comes later on. The gas 

 seeks to rise, and in so doing impregnates the rocks which lie 

 above it. Let a free vent be given, and the gas rushes to the 

 surface, as we see at Heathfield. The pressure exerted by the 

 gas is shown by the obstacles it overcomes. At Heathfield the 

 removal of the lining tubes from the boring has caused portions 

 of earth to fall in from the sides and partially block the channel. 

 There is also water in the boring, creating a considerable down- 

 ward pi-essure. Still the gas ascends, and shows a good amount 

 of force at the surface, while leaking at every joint. The 

 lighting power of the gas is described as equal to twelve and-a- 

 half candles on the usual scale. Burnt on the incandescent 

 principle, in a mantle, it produces an admirable light. But, as 

 pointed out by Mr. Woodhead, this is obviously due to its heating 

 power, which is considerable. It is described as free from 

 impurities, and has but little odour. The Analyst states that it 

 smells like petroleum. 



It is said that the quantity of gas escaping from the single 

 bore at Heathfield would yield a suflScient supply for lighting a 

 small town, and it has been suggested that it might be " piped 

 off" to illuminate Hailsham, Eastbourne, or Tunbridge Wells. 

 Supposing this to be too sanguine a view of what might be done 

 with the present supply, it seems a matter for regret that the gas 

 should either be wasted or absolutely bottled up in the depths of the 

 earth. More important still is the consideration whether the exist- 

 ing flow indicates the existence of a large and valuable store, to 

 be discovered by further search. The gas has given tokens of its 

 presence over a rather wide area, and it may possibly be found 

 at greater distances. The depth also has to be borne in mind, 

 and by seeking to find the actual starting-point of the gas we 

 may attain to what would be termed the fountain-head of the 

 gaseous stream. It may be asked — If the gas is good for any- 

 thing, why do not the Brighton Company lay it on for the 

 purpose of lighting up the Heathfield Station ? It is remarkable 

 that the discovery at the Heathfield Hotel was so completely 

 disregarded. " Natural gas" appears to be at a discount in the 

 neighbourhood. In the public interest, and their own, it would 

 now seem to devolve on the Kailway Company to take the matter 

 up, and have it thoroughly investigated. 



It has been mentioned that the Heathfield Hallway Station 



