324 DESCRIPTIONS OP MINERALS. 



three ways. First : the lighter naphthas evaporate, leaving 

 the denser oils behind ; and, ultimately, the viscid bitumens, 

 or else paraffin, according as paraffin is present or not in 

 the native oil. At the naphtha island of Tschelekan in Per- 

 sia, there are large quantities of Neft-gil, as it is called, 

 which is nearly pure paraffin. The hot climate of the Cas- 

 pian is favorable for such a result, Secondly: ther emay 

 be a loss of hydrogen from its combination with the oxygen 

 of the atmosphere to form water, which escapes. Thus the 

 oils of the Naphtha series may change into those of the Ethy- 

 lene or Benzole series. Thirdly : there may be an oxidation 

 of the hydrocarbon of the oils, producing asphaltum or 

 more coal-like substances, like albertite. 



The word naphtha is from the Persian, nafata, to exude ; 

 and petroleum from the Greek, j^tros, rock, and the Latin, 

 oleum, oil. 



Hachettite. — Mountain Tallow. Hatchetine. 



Like soft wax in appearance aud hardness, of a yellowish- 

 white to greenish-yellow color. 

 Composition. Eelated to paraffin. 

 From the coal-measures of Glamorganshire in Wales. 



Ozocerite is like wax or spermaceti in consistence. Soluble in ether. 

 The original was from Moldavia. Along with another wax-like sub- 

 stance, called Urpethite, it constitutes the ' ' mineral wax of U rpeth 

 Colliery." Zietrisikite is like beeswax, and is insoluble in ether ; 

 from Moldavia. 



Elaterite. — Mineral Caoutchouc. Elastic Bitumen. 



In soft flexible masses, somewhat resembling caoutchouc 

 or India rubber. Color brownish-black ; sometimes orange- 

 red by transmitted light, G. =0*9-1 "25. Composition: Car- 

 bon 85*5, hydrogen 13 3 = 98 '8. It burns readily with a yel- 

 low flame and bituminous odor. 



Obs. From a lead mine in Derbyshire, England, and a 

 coal mine at Montrelais. It has been found at Woodbury, 

 Ct., in a bituminous limestone. 



FicJitelite and Hartite are crystallized hydrocarbons, of the Cam- 

 phene series. Brcmchite, Diaite, and Ixolyte are related to Hartite. 

 Konlite, Naplithalin, and Idrialite are native species of the Benzole 

 series. Aragotite, from California, is near Idrialite. 



