354 



ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. 



tained from wood vinegar, is one of the oils. Another 

 of them, called eupion, has a pleasant odor, somewhat 

 similar to that of the flower called narcissus. Pittacal, 

 a beautiful blue coloring matter, resembling indigo, and 

 paraffine, resembling spermacetti, are also obtained from 

 tar. 



892. COAL TAR. Coal tar 

 Jances^r'e is produced from bituminous 

 contained in coal, in the process of mak- 



coal tar ? ... . 



ing illuminating gas. It con- 

 sists of numerous liquid and solid hydro- 

 carbons, produced by the decomposition 

 of the coal from which it was formed. 

 Among them is napthaline, like camphor 

 in appearance, and dissipated, like this sub- 

 stance, by exposure to the air. Others are 

 mentioned in the next paragraph. Coal tar, mixed 

 with chalk, or other material, is used as a cement, and 

 also as a material for covering roofs. 



893. USEFUL PRODUCTS FROM COAL 

 useful pro- ' TAR - The first product of its distillation, 

 ducts of coal i s a light oil, commonly known as benzole. 



This may be substituted for spirits of tur- 

 pentine, for a great variety of uses. Another heavier 

 oil, which is obtained from it, is used as a solvent of 

 india-rubber, and also for lubrication and illumination. 

 In Europe, the pitchy mass, which remains on dis- 

 tillation, is employed in moulding refuse coal dust 

 into cakes, to be used as fuel. The light oil is also con- 

 verted by the action of nitric acid, into an artificial es- 

 sence, similar to that of bitter almonds, used exten- 



