362 THE MINERAL OILS OP AMERICA. 



for stuffing beds, cushions, &c. This is the produce of different species of 

 Bombax and Eriodendron, very large trees, the seeds of which are enveloped 

 in long hairs, Imt, as they do not spin like cotton, in consequence of no 

 adhesion existing between the hairs, the substance loses its importance, 

 exeept as employed for the purposes mentioned. 



The coffee of Siam is of a superior description, resembling the Mocha 

 bean : its cultivation is, however, but sparingly attended to, being even 

 insufficient for home consumption. If there were more attention paid to 

 the cultivation, it might form one of the principal articles of export. 

 The tree grows luxuriantly, and is covered with berries. The tobacco of 

 Siam is of a very good quality : scarcely sufficient, however, for home 

 consumption is produced. 



The list of fruits indigenous or cultivated in Siam includes those of tro- 

 pical countries in general. This country is, however, especially distinguished 

 for the excellence of its mangosteens and durians. There are a large number 

 of different species and varieties of the orange, besides pine-apples, mangoes, 

 guavas, and various fruits the produce of the forests, vieing in delicacy 

 with those cultivated in gardens. 



THE MINERAL OILS OF AMERICA. 



The petroleum oil springs of America are exciting so much interest at 

 the present time, that importance naturally attaches to all reliable accounts- 

 concerning them. The whole subject was very carefully surveyed in a recent 

 number of the Technologist (p. 244), and we may now summarize the further 

 information furnished by practical journals in America. The numerous 

 reports from the petroleum regions of Pennsylvania and Ohio, a few years 

 ago, respecting the immense oil discoveries, received at that time but little 

 more attention from the business and manufacturing world than to elicit a 

 passing remark, or to be merely the subject of mention as an interesting 

 circumstance. The information regarding the yield of the wells, and the 

 vast number of springs discovered, was of so marvellous a character, and 

 the reputed amount of oil pumped from single wells was so incredibly 

 large, that doubts were cast upon the whole enterprise, and those who left 

 the chief cities to engage in the prospecting for oil in those regions were 

 regarded as rather visionary in their ideas, and were deemed to be pursuing 

 a phantom which would soon lead them into an unenviable plight. Time, 

 however, has demonstrated the value of the production of the petroleum 

 regions ; and instead of the supply failing, as was at first predicted, the 

 reports of still larger yields, and of still newer resources, are being circulated, 

 and the fruits of the enterprise amply verify the statements regarding the 

 increased supply of oil. The local papers of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, 



