^^pt^t 



(IRICAT WESTERN JUNE. 



361 



ash remains. In a closed tube a yellow-brown oil distills off with an odor 

 somewhat like burnt rubber, leaving a black, carbonaceous residue. Noth- 

 ing- volatilizes at 1!)0° C, so far as could be determined. In the retort a 

 light-colored, brownish-yellow liquid distills over considerably below red 

 heat ; at about low red heat a dark-brown liquid comes over and a black 

 residue i-emains. lioth liquids are heavy and viscous. The lighter-colored 



Fic. IC. Vcrtiol lunsitmlinal section of the Great Western iiuicksilver mine, X. 65° W. Scale, 200 feet to I iiieli. 



liquid 3ields vapor at 140° C, rapidly at 190° C, the product smelling like 

 coal-tar oils, while carbonaceous matter remains after complete distillation 

 at temperatures gradually rising above 190° C. All these facts indicate 

 decomposition by heat. Alcohol dissolves the substance partially. The 

 alcoholic extract when evaporated yields an oil. Ether removes an olive- 

 colored oil, the substance not wliolly dissolving. 



No nitrogen or sulphur was detected. Carbon, hydrogen, ox}-gen (liy 

 difference), and ash (.silica and ferric oxide) were determined with the fol- 

 lowing result: 



Per cent. 



Carbon 85. GO 



Hydiogeu 10.71 



Oxygei] :j. i>2 



Ash 47 



100. 00 



