On Kerosene 61 



short time to imported oil-producing plants. I shall give the 

 result as far as I was enabled to ascertain them. 



Rue yields about 10 ozs. of oil from 100 lbs., Rosemary also 

 yielded a large amount. 



I obtained oil of a fine and beautiful aroma from many- 

 descriptions of geranium, but from the small amount of 

 material within my reach I was unable to arrive at accurate 

 conclusions. 



Lavender gives half an ounce of oil from one pound of the 

 spikes. Its aroma placed it in the medium class. I consider 

 it worth in England 16s. per lb. This oil was obtained from 

 plants on which no labour had been bestowed, and the soil 

 on which they grew was poor and sandy. 



There can be no doubt that fields of true peppermint, 

 lavender, roses, and such plants, would prove highly remu- 

 nerative. The results of all our investigations combine to 

 establish the correctness of this assertion. 



A market is always open for these productions, so that any 

 quantity will find a ready sale. 



I feel convinced therefore that a field is now opened up 

 in this colony for the cultivation of such plants, and that 

 this whole subject is well worthy the attention of the culti- 

 vators of the soil. And I am also convinced that the facts 

 here stated ought to induce the Legislature to direct their 

 attention more than ever to the enactment of such laws as 

 shall tend to develope the resources of the colony. 



Art. XVII. — On Kerosene. By the Hon. John Macadam, 

 M.D., &c. 



[Abstract of Paper, the Original read 8th September, 1862.] 



The test of safety for kerosene is considered to be the 

 temperature at which it takes fire permanently ; that is, 

 not when it emits a flash of flame, which, after flickering, 

 is extinguished, but that when fired, it continues to burn 

 until the portion tested is consumed. 



The highest authorities have fixed this point of tempera- 

 ture at 130° Far. That any kerosene which ignites at a lower 

 temperature than ISO Far. is deemed unsafe, in proportion 

 to the number of degrees less than 130 at which it takes fire. 



The test is a very simple one, the kerosene is placed in a small 

 tin or porcelain saucer, this saucer is floated on boiling water, 



