CHEMISTRY OF A PINT OF KEROSENE. 55 



etc., it is found to be far less costly than either ; 

 and it is so convenient and cleanly that its discovery 

 must be regarded as a blessing to the race. 



So much has been said respecting the explosive 

 nature of kerosene, this point demands considera- 

 tion. A general impression prevails among con- 

 sumers that kerosene is explosive^ and its use 

 attended with a considerable amount of danger. 

 Such, however, is not the case ; it is no more ex- 

 plosive than water ; and the employment of prop- 

 erly prepared oil is safe under all ordinary condi- 

 tions. It is important that there should be a clear 

 understanding of the nature of kerosene, the cause 

 of accidents, and the conditions under which they 

 occur. 



As has been stated, kerosene is not explosive. A 

 lighted taper may be thrust into it, or flame applied 

 in any way, and it does not explode. On the con- 

 trary, it extinguishes flame, if experimented with 

 at the usual temperatures of our rooms. Kerosene 

 accidents occur from two causes : first, imperfect 

 manufacture of the article ; second, adulterations. 

 An imperfectly manufactured oil is that which 

 results when the distillation has been carried on at 

 too low a temperature, and a part of the naphtha 

 remains in it. Adulterations are largely made by 

 unprincipled dealers, who add twenty or thirty per 

 cent, of naphtha after it leaves the manufacturer's 



