Notice of Gas from Cotton Seed. 295 
Nearly three fourths of the entire cotton crop consist of 
The quantity of cotton exported from the United 
States in the year 1817, according to Morse’s Tables, was 
more than 85,000,000 pounds, and was rapidly increasing. 
It is now probably at least 100,000,000, for which we 
may estimate 300,000,000 of seed, leaving that part of the 
crop, which affords our domestic supply to furnish seed 
for the ensuing year. Of this immense quantity of cotton 
seed, only a trifling proportion is applied to any use what- 
ever. 
The recent accounts which have been published in 
Great Britain respecting the manufacture of illuminating 
gas froin oil, suggested to the writer the possibility of em- 
ploying cotton seed, although he waz not aware at that 
time that oleaginous seeds had ever been used in this 
way. Asingle seed pierced with a pin and held in the 
flame of a candle or spirit lamp, afforded a light so white 
and brilliant, and so copious in quantity, as greatly to favor 
the idea, and to stimulate to farcher inquiries. A few 
seeds were introduced into a tobacco pipe, and its orifice 
being closed with a clay stopper, the bowl, when dry, was 
placed among hot coals, and speedily raised to a red heat. 
A large quantity of inflammable gas issued from the stem, 
burning, when set on fire, with peculiar whiteness and 
beauty. These trials induced me to undertake the follow- 
ing experiments. 
Ex. 1. One ounce ayoirdupois, or 437.5 grains Troy, 
of eg cotton seed in the state in which it is found at 
€ gins, having a little cotton adhering to it, was placed in 
a ladle over the fire, and when it was quite dry, a red hot 
iron was introduced among it, which burnt off the cotton. 
leaving the seed naked. A similar drying — anges 
Was practised in all the subsequent experim The 
seed thus prepared was introduced into om iron tube, 
which was placed in a furnace. To the open end was 
luted a flexible tube, connecting it with a pneumatic cis- 
tern. Belare the tube became red cate a fe ga stream of 
The first portions burnt with a reddish 
