136 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION B. 



100.00 100.00 



Pyrites was observed in the shale and was probably the source of 

 the sulphur. 



I do not attach much importance to the fox'mula obtained, as 

 the organic matter of shale is not a pure substance, though I 

 think an approach thereto. For comparison there are given 

 below some analyses of waxes. First, myricin or myricyl-palma- 

 tate (calculated.) Second, ceroxylin or palm wax, the average of 

 three analysis by Boussingault, Lewy, and Teschemacher. 

 ("Watt's Dictionary," I, 837), Third, Carnabau wax by Lewy, 

 ("Watt's Dictionary," I., 805). Fourth, Occuba wax, by Lewy, 

 (" Watt's Dictionary," IV., 173), and lifth, tristearin (calculated.) 



Occuba wax (No. 4), the product of a plant growing in marshy 

 places in South America, is not a true wax but a mixture of solid 

 fats. 



It seems evident that the organic matter of shale, if produced, 

 as I think probable, from a vegetable secretion, must nave been 

 so produced by the elimination of hydrogen and oxygen in the 

 form of water, with pi'obably elimination of hydrogen also by 

 atmospheric oxygen, and could not arise from either of the last 

 two which contain less hydrogen, and still less could it arise from 

 fats of lower molecular weight than tristearin, whilst it is possible 

 from the waxes. This is more clearly seen if in Nos. 4 and 5 the 

 hydrogen and oxygen are calculated for a quantity of carbon 

 equal to that in the shale, thus : — 



IV. V. 



Carbon (as in shale) ... 81.10 81.10 



Hydrogen 12.39 12.98 



Oxygen 16.11 11.52 



The first shews less hydrogen tlian the shale, the last an equal 

 quantity, but in both there is a large percentage of oxygen to 

 remove hydrogen, Avhich is not the case with the waxes, in which 

 indeed the oxygen is rather deficient, which deficiency could be 

 supplied by atmospheric oxygen. 



