Proceedings of tee Polytechnic Association. 1003 



present in the astral oil is here appended. The process was carried 

 on with Ilegnault's apparatus for fractional distillation with the fol- 

 lowing results ; One hundred cubic centimeters of the " astral oil " 

 were employed in the experiment. No perceptible odor reached the 

 receiver, in a period of thirty minutes, at a temperature of 125 degrees 

 Fahrenheit. In the following thirty minutes, at 145 degrees Fahren- 

 heit, a perceptible odor was observed, but no liquid distilled. At the 

 temperature of 175 degrees, in the same time, a single drop was con- 

 densed. At 212 degrees Fahrenheit, for thirty minutes, the distillate 

 amounted to one-third {^) of one cubic centimeter. At 250 degrees 

 Fahrenheit, for thirty minutes, the distillate amounted to four (4) cubic 

 centimeters ; and at 300 degrees Fahrenheit, for thirty minutes, to 

 fourteen (14) cubic centimeters ; which results tabulate as follows : 



No odor. 



Perceptible odor, but no liquid. 



A single drop. 



One-third cubic centimeter. 



Four cubic centimeters. 



Fourteen. 



The results of these experiments showed that thQ flashing point 

 might be fairly stated at 125 degrees Fahrenheit, and the burning 

 point at 145 degrees Fahrenheit. These tests, furthermore, led to 

 the conclusion on the part of those familiar with them that the com- 

 mon methods of testing the inflammability of burning oils is quite 

 defective, and that new instruments for the purposes indicated should 

 be invented to meet the growing neccessities of the day ; it being 

 essential that the element of time should always be taken into con- 

 sideration in determining the flasliing and burning temperatures of 

 samples. 



The oil sold under the name of astral oil is that manufactured by 

 Mr. Chai-les Pratt, of New York city. He puts it up in five-gallon 

 cans, hermetically sealed, so that the contents cannot be tampered 

 with or adulterated by the dealers through whose hands it may pass, 

 the purchaser of a can being thus guaranted an oil safe and superior. 

 A discussion of some length and considerable interest sprang up con- 

 cerning the use and characteristics of the common petroleum oils, 

 in the course of which Dr. Parinelee spoke as follows : 



The series of experiments recently made by Professors Hors- 

 ford and Doremus prove several points which have been brought pro- 

 minently before the Polytechnic on several occasions during the last 



