258 



Transactions. — Chemistry. 



Poverty Bay petroleums at considerably higher temperatures. It is obvious, 



therefore, that this sample is not a mixture of the two, as naturally suggests 



itself, but a bond fide pi'oduction. I believe it to be the former oil re-distilled, 



but in a natural way. 



The oil, submitted to distillation, afforded the following results : — ; 



40 per cent, colourless oil at speciBc gravity ... ... '800 



pale coloured oil „ 



yellow „ „ 



33 



12-5 

 6-25 



4-25 



•826 

 •840 

 •860 

 •870 



96-00 —Total distilled off. 

 4-0 — Residue in retort. 



100-00 



The residue is oil saturated with paraffin. It sets at common temperatures. 



The only oils containing paraffin are those of specific gravity "860 and 

 •870. It will thus be seen that 85-5 per cent, of the distillate is iincontami- 

 nated with this substance j so that, allowing 1| per cent, for light oils, we 

 have 84 per cent, of an oil obtainable from this petroleum fit for use in our 

 kerosene lamps, and this by a single distillation and without subjecting it to 

 the action of any purifying agents. 



By two more successive distillations of the first two samples I obtained oil 

 amounting to 66 per cent, upon the crude oil, and having a specific gravity of 

 •811, or that of common kerosene. This was almost colourless, and had not, 

 I believe, acquired any darker shade since it was distilled. Two per cent, of 

 the lightest oils have been removed from this sample. 



The lightest oils I have yet distilled from this petroleum by three successive 

 distillations have a specific gravity of '778, -770, and -754 respectively. The total 

 quantity amounted to 4 per cent, upon the sample taken. The heaviest oil 

 obtained has a specific gravity of -871 ; its quantity, 2 per cent, upon oU 

 taken. This is, therefore, certainly a first-class oil. 



For purpose of comparison, I now detail the results of my examination of 

 a brand of kerosene much used here — a good kerosene, burning well, and still 

 a safe one. Taking of this oil the same quantity which I did of the two 

 petroleums just described, I obtained these results by its distillation : — 



Specific Gravity. 



4 percent, at ... ... ... -7202 



17 



19 

 12-5 



6-25 



6-25 



4 



4 



•740 



•768 



•802 



•821 



•8264 



•8287 



•829 



