256 



Transactions. — Chemistry. 



ilium mating 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 affijctibility 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 289°-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. 



1 



2 

 3 

 4 

 5 

 6 

 7 



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 



Volume of Distillate 



Specific 



UPON Charge. 



Gravity. 



. 2-5 colourless 



•809 



1 6 nearly colourless. . . . 



•826 



16 pale yellow. 



•836 



19 dark yellow. 



•850 



1 1 dark yellow. 



•855^ 



8 brown ; solid at 40° Fah. 



•864 



21-25 paraffin oil. 





93-75 





6-25 — Residue in retoi't, pitch. 





