CHEMISTRY OF A PINT OF KEROSENE. 



npHERE is scarcely an article, solid or fluid, 

 which is more generally regarded in this coun- 

 try as one of household necessfty, than what is 

 known as kerosene. It is brought to the cities, 

 from the oil regions, in vast quantities, and from 

 thence is distributed to every town and village 

 throughout the country ; Storekeepers arrange it 

 for sale in close proximity with sugars, coffee, tea, 

 and flour ; and often the dark, moist, and odorous 

 casks are seen mounted by the side of calicoes and 

 ribbons. 



The tallow candle and oil lamp no longer flicker 

 and shed their dim light in dwelling or workshop. 

 A more intense and diffusive light now flashes 

 through the windows, and penetrates far into the 

 surrounding darkness. The country lad or dame, 

 visiting the city, is. no longer dazzled nd bewildered 

 by the blaze of gas-lights ; the home far away 

 among the hills is illuminated by rays equally brill- 

 iant, and the eye has long since become accustomed 

 to the glare. Kerosene must be considered among 

 the wonderful things which have been developed by 



