3'22 Neiv Spring of Fdroleum discovered in Itahj. 



Ainiauo, a viilaae in the state of Parma, near Josnovo and 

 \ arese, on the confines of Liouria. Being vexed that the 

 goven.nient of the country did not take this object into 

 c viaideration, I have heard btelv with satisfaction that the 

 g ovcrnnien* of Liguria has converted it to a useful purpose. 

 Ait.'r being analysed bv an able chemist, it has been applied 

 with great advantage to the purpose of lighting the city of 

 Gfnoa. 



It was C. Mojon, professor of chemistry in the nnivcrsity 

 of Genoa, who made the most conclusive experiments on 

 this combustible substance. He read a report on this sub- 

 icct before the National Institute of Liguria on the 4th of 

 July 1802; and it is an extract from this report, procured 

 from the author himself, that I now have the honour of 

 presenting to you. 



Professor Moipu, having been on the spot, was enabled 

 to 5ee that the richness of the spring; of petroleum at Ami* 

 ano is so great, that, thouoh people have continually drawn 

 from It since its discover", it still keeps at the same level. 

 He has found in it the following characters : 



'J'his petroleum is exceedingly limpid, of a vinous yellow 

 colour, or rather like that of the topase of Saxony. Its 

 smell is strong, penetrating, and less empyreumatic than 

 that of the common and brownish petroleum. Its specitlc 

 gravity is to that of water as S3 to 100, and to that of olive 

 oil as 91 to 100. 



If a few drops of it be poured on writing paper and ex- 

 posed to heat, it is entirely volatilised, and leaves no stain. 

 If distilled in a glass retort, in a moderate heat, it passes en- 

 tirelv into the receiver, anci leaves no residuum. 



If it be mixed with concentrated sulphuric acid, it burns, 

 becomes thick and dark-coloured. It readily dissolves am- 

 ber, sulphur, and resins; and when mixed with gum copal 

 forms a varnish, which, v/hen spread over a piece of board, 

 and exposed for some days to the sun, dries, and loses its 

 odour. When poured on alcohol, it floats at the surface 

 without dissolving, even when heated and strongly stirred. 

 It floats also over fixed and volatile oils, with which it com- 

 bines by agitation. Its combustibility is so great, that it 

 inflames when brought near to a burning body : it seems 

 even to attract the flame in consequence of its great volati- 

 lity. Its own flame is white and lively, like that of oil of 

 turpentine, but it emits much more smoke. 



Having thus deternuned the characters of petroleum, pro- 

 fessor Mojon, mindful of his commission, examined whe- 

 ther it might not be employed for lighting the city of Ge- 

 noa. 



