250 THE EARTH OR ROCK OILS OF AMERICA. 



only distilled into two portions ; the loss was about 1\ per cent. ; the 

 specific gravity of the first half was 867°, and the second 872°. — I am, Sir, 

 your obedient servant, 



" Dugald Campbell, 



" Analytical Chemist to the Brampton Hospital, &c, 

 " 7 Quality-place, Chancery-lane. 

 " To P. L. Simmonds, Esq." 



I may refer those interested in this subject in America to a long paper on 

 the various sources of naphtha, by Mr. M. C. Cooke, in the " Journal of the 

 Society of Arts " for Aug. 19, 1859, which can, no doubt, be consulted in 

 any of the leading institutions of the States ; but I may quote that part 

 which describes the Rangoon petroleum and naphtha wells, some 500 in 

 number, which are said to afford 412,000 hogsheads annually : — " They are 

 situated about two miles from the village of Yak, near Goung, where they 

 occupy a space of about twelve square miles ; they are from 200 to 300 feet 

 deep, of small calibre, and sustained by scantling. The temperature of the 

 oil, when first raised to the top, is 89® : men do not go down, but an 

 earthen pot is lowered in and drawn up over a beam across the mouth, by 

 two men running off with the rope. The pot is emptied into a little pool, 

 where the water with which it is largely mixed subsides, and the oil is 

 drawn off pure. It is exported in earthen jars, containing about 30 lbs. 

 A well yields about 1,200 lbs. or 1,500 lbs. per day, and is worked by three 

 or four men : sometimes upwards of 2,000 lbs. are obtained ; the amount 

 depends upon the quantity of water drawn up with the oil. A duty of 

 l-20th is paid to the Government. This earth oil is extensively used for 

 lamps and torches, and is exported to all parts of the empire, for which 

 there are great water facilities. It is also used for preserving wood, mat 

 partitions, palm leaf, &c, from insects and the weather. The white ants 

 will not attack wood which has been washed with it." 



In the annual report of the Trade of Rangoon for last year, it is stated 

 that the shipments of Rangoon earth oil to Europe are in the hands of one 

 party ; the contractor with the King of Burmah for this produce not finding 

 any purchasers for it makes the shipments for his own account, getting 

 advances on the bills of lading from one European house in Rangoon. 

 Prices in the bazaar there are usually 15 rupees ; but we doubt not that if 

 any larger quantity were required, the king's contractor would agree to 

 lower the rates. 



With the increasing demand for asphalte, petroleum, and naphtha, the 

 attention of per sous in different quarters of the world should be directed to 

 this subject, which is important both in a scientific and commercial point 

 of view. 



A mode of obtaining a lubricating oil from asphalte was patented not 

 long ago by Dr. Simpson, of Edinburgh, and Prof. W. Thomson, of 

 Belfast. The asphalte, according to their invention, is first distilled at a 

 temperature a little below that of a red heat. This produces a thick liquid, 

 which is again distilled at the same temperature. The second distillation 



