THE 



WESTERN REVIEW OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IN 



Science, Mechanic Arts and Agriculture. 

 VOL. 1. AUGUST, 1877. NO. 6. 



MINERALOGY. 



THE WYANDOTTE, KANSAS, GAS WELL. 



(BY THE EDITOR.) 



Natural combustible gas has been known Id various countries from remote 

 ages, and is believed by most observers to result from the decomposition of 

 organic substances, though, in many instances, the sources of this gas have 

 Ipeen found to be in geological formations below the coal strata, and especi- 

 ally are such gases frequently found in salt wells and mines. 



The most celebrated natural fountains of gas are located in the tertiary 

 formations of the rocky peninsula on which the Eussian city of Bachu, on 

 the shores of the Caspian Sea, is built. Through these strata large quanti- 

 ties of naptha and petroleum issue, while volumes of inflammable gas are 

 constantly evolved, giving to the locality the name of the "Field of fire." 

 In the Szlatina salt mine (Hungary) illuminating gas issues at a dej)th of 

 90 metres below bank from a marly clay, which is interspersed between the 

 layers of rock salt. This has been known since 1770, and the gas is now 

 collected and used for lighting up the mine. In the province of Szu Tchhouan, 

 China, illuminating gas issues from borings made for rock salt, and is con- 

 veyed in bamboo tubes to the furnaces", where it is used for lighting purposes 

 and evaporating the brine. Similar phenomena are described as existing 

 at Arbela, in Central Asia, and at Chittagong, in Bengal. 



