W. Skey. — On the Mineral Oils of Nexo Zealand. 257 



which, as I have before observed, this oil approximates most nearly of any of 

 those from America. 



The yield of oil of this gravity was 55 per cent, of the original charge 

 by volume. The first portion of this — 30 per cent. — was colourless ; the 

 remainder had a feeble tinge of yellow, which deepened a few shades in a 

 week. 



A portion of this oil was tested for illuminating purposes in an ordinary 

 kerosene lamp, and was found to burn with a voluminous clear white flame, 

 which was maintained very steadily until but little of the oil remained 

 unconsumed in the well of the lamp used. 



A further experiment upon this petroleum showed that by three successive 

 distillations, and treatment with acids and alkalies, about 65 per cent, of an 

 oil could be obtained from it, having a specific gravity of "843, and burning 

 with a good flame in lamps of this kind, although containing paraffin in some 

 quantity. Most, if not all of our kerosenes, however, contain paraffin in 

 greater quantity than the oil in question, so that I should consider the 

 presence of a little paraffin no serious objection to the oil. 



These results then show that about %h per cent, of this oil may be obtained 

 sufficiently light for use in our ordinary kerosene lamps. In this 65 per cent. 

 I have included the "feints" in the very lightest oils of this petroleum, and I do 

 not see why I should throw them out, as our kerosenes are charged with oils 

 still lighter than these, and in greater quantity, as I shall presently show. 

 However, from 1 to 1 J per cent, taken ofi" does not affect the value of the oil 

 at all seriously. 



I will conclude my note on this oil by stating that the lightest and the 

 heaviest oils I have yet obtained from it are of a specific gravity of "7289 and 

 •885 respectively, at 50° Fah. 



3. The last of these petroleums is that fi-om Manutahi, on the "Waiapu River. 

 The first sample was forwarded to the Colonial Laboratory by Major Eopata. 



It is the lightest oil of any I have yet tested, occurring in this coimtry 

 in a native state. The following are its special characters : — Colour pale 

 brown, neai'ly or quite transparent ; does not manifest a green-black colour by 

 reflected light. Flows with great freedom ; has the odour of kerosene. 

 Specific gravity, '8294 at 60° Fah. Burns well in a kerosene lamp for some 

 time. 



These characters show the oil to be of a very superior class, indeed so very 

 superior that I at first suspected it had been " improved " by some one. 

 However, further operations upon it soon showed that that was not the case. 

 Thus it contains at most but traces of paraffin, as it does not acquire any 

 increased consistency when lowered in temperature to + 8° Fah., while all our 

 kerosenes now in the market solidify at this temperature, and the other 



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