256 T'ransactions.— Chemistry. 
illuminating purposes ; but whether this could be attained at a cost sufficiently 
low to allow a profit on the process is as yet doubtful. 
The principal use, however, for which this petroleum appears best suited, 
is that of a lubricant, and this on account of its low freezing and high 
volatilizing points, and its exceedingly slight affectibility by air at common 
temperatures. 
2. The next oil I have to describe is that from Poverty Bay, East Coast of 
Auckland Province. 
It is quite different in constitution from the Taranaki oil being a true 
paraffin oil, as are most, if not all, of those from the United States of America. 
It most resembles the Canadian oil. 
The following are the characters observed for numerous samples of it :— 
Opalescent and thickly interspersed with minute flaky particles of a white 
colour. By warming the oil gently these particles subside, and the oil 
manifests the following characters :—Translucent in masses of considerable 
thickness. Colour red by transmitted, and blackish-green by reflected light. 
Flows readily, and gives off the usual odour of crude petroleum. Its boiling 
point at 30 inches barometric pressure varies from 2897-291? Fah. The 
temperature at which its vapour inflames is from 230? to 233? Fah., and its 
specific gravity varies from :864 to -871 at 60° Fah. It passes into a jelly-like 
mass at 50° Fah., a circumstance owing to the quantity of paraffin dissolved 
in the oil. 
The petroleum, carefully distilled, afforded the following results :— 
No. VOLUME oF DISTILLATE SPECIFIC 
s E GRAVITY. 
1 2:5 colourless c ges 809 
2 16 nearly colourless 826 
3 16 pale yellow. 9 E 836 
4 19 dark yellow. ih а. :850 
5 11 dark yellow. edes TR '855 
6 8 brown; solid at 40? Fah.  ... 864 
7 21:25 paraffin oil. 
93:75 
6:25— Residue in retort, pitch. 
100-00 
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of these distillates were mixed and purified with 
2 per cent, of sulphuric acid and 2 per cent. of soda solution successively, then 
re-distilled, 
The first 2 per cent. drawn over had a specific gravity of 805. This was 
kept separate from the other, and the distillation continued until the distil- 
lates respectively had a specific gravity of -838 (No. 3), or 36? Baume ; this 
being the density of the lamp oil obtained from the Canadian petroleum, to 
