FOURTH REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I907 



35 



The oil is tested with sulfuric acid and caustic soda and is then 

 ready for the second distillation, by which it is fractionated into 

 light and heavy oils, the latter containing solid paraffin. The light 

 oils are used in making four grades of burning oils. The paraffin 

 is obtained from the heavy oil by cooling below 32° F. and straining 

 out by means of filter presses. The paraffin is then subjected to 

 further treatment producing paraffin wax. 



The value of the products of the Scotch shale industry is up- 

 ward of £2,000,000 annually, and is rapidly increasing. The results 

 derived from the analyses made of the New York shales are too 

 incomplete to afford adequate basis of comparison as the method 

 of distillation employed seems not that best adapted to the problem. 

 The indicated proportions of fixed carbon and volatile hydrocarbons 

 are apparently less than in the Scotch shales, but it is not certain 

 that a more exact treatment with care to prevent volatilization of 

 the hydrocarbons would not give a different result. At all events 

 the results obtained are sufficiently encouraging to justify further 

 pursuit of the inquiry. 



SEISMOLOGICAL STATION 



The seismological station of the State Museum has rendered 

 efficient service throughout the year. Except for occasional stop- 

 pages of short duration — usually less than an hour each — due to 

 the necessity of making readjustments from time to time, it has 

 been operative continuously since March 10, 1906, when the instru- 

 ;ments were first installed. 



One of the chief objects of the records is to secure information 

 relative to the character and frequency of earth tremors in the 

 vicinity of Albany, which are set up by distant shocks. This line 

 of investigation has never before been carried on anywhere within 

 a radius of several hundred miles from the station. The results 

 thus far obtained have shown the locality to be well adapted for 

 receiving records and have already thrown considerable light on 

 the subject. With the present equipment the larger earthquakes 

 throughout the world are registered within a few minutes of their 

 occurrence. It is hoped also that the observations may afford in- 

 formation as to possible earth movements of local nature. These 

 have not been detectr'd as yet, though it is considered more than 

 probable that there are slow oscillations going on within the neigh- 

 boring region which in the course of time will manifest cumulative 

 'effects of sensible magnitude. The observations must be continued 



