Il6 [Proc. B.N. F. C, 



mentable, and cannot be assimilated. Quite recently its use 

 has been condemned in France, on the ground that it is not 

 only indigestible itself, but also retards the digestion of other 

 substances with which it is mixed. Tt has been insinuated that 

 this condemnation is an interested one, as the production of 

 beet sugar is a large industry in France. A few weeks ago I 

 noticed in one of the Dublin papers a column advertisement, in 

 which were a large number of testimonials from competent 

 men in favour of the merits of saccharine. 



Among other products of coal tar distillation, we have nitro- 

 benzol, or, as it is commonly called, Essence of Myrbane, used 

 as a substitute for oil of bitter almonds in perfuming soap and 

 flavouring confectionery. We have also perfumes resembling 

 those of the Tonquin bean, and of the Woodruff, while much 

 of the scent sold as ''new-mown hay" really comes from our 

 gas works. The greater part of the trade in the production of 

 aniline colours is a German industry ; but it is to our country- 

 man Perkins, that the honour of the discovery of the first of 

 them belongs. 



The wonderful petroleum industry, which has so largely 

 developed during the last quarter century, while coming under 

 the head of chemistry, has also a bearing upon geological 

 science. As the demand for burning oils increased, we had 

 first, in America, the adoption of pipe lines for the conveyance 

 of the crude oil to the coast, where, after refining, it is exported 

 under the name of refined petroleum. The more recent deve- 

 lopment of the trade has led to the construction of vessels 

 for the conveyance Of the oil in bulk, and we may soon 

 look for the establishment of large storage tanks at our leading 

 sea-ports, into which the oil may be discharged on the arrival 

 of such vessels, and only requiring the use of barrels for distri- 

 bution to interior towns. Even that will not be necessary, for 

 in the States, railway and street tank waggons convey it directly 

 to the tanks of the retailers, Petroleum has been used for 

 firing the boilers of Russian locomotives, and it has recently 

 been reported to the Government of that country that it can 



