210 TURPENTINE AND ROSIN. 



pine {Pinus australis or palustris), which is much larger than the same kind 

 of tree in the Northern States, attaining a height of 60 feet. This wood 

 affords tar, pitch, turpentine and lumber, which constitute an important 

 export from the State of North Carolina. Pinus Tceda, abundant in 

 Virginia, yields common turpentine, but of a less fluid quality than that 

 which flows from P. australis. American turpentine contains about 17 per 

 cent, of essential oil. The odour is pleasant, and the taste somewhat 

 bitter. 



The principal articles of export from North Carolina are turpentine, 

 pitch, tar, and rosin, comprised under the general name of u naval stores." 

 During the year ending June 30, 1857, the following quantities were 

 exported from the State to Foreign countries :— 



Yalue. 

 Tar and pitch, 18,681 brls. . . . . . . $26,817 



Rosin and turpentine, 11,092 brls $20,582 



Spirits of turpentine, 64,460 galls $41,392 



This statement, however, gives but a very imperfect idea of the quan- 

 tities manufactured in the State, as large exportations were made to the 

 Northern ports. 



More naval stores are shipped from Wilmington than from all the other 

 ports of the United States, and it is a matter of surprise that there is so 

 little direct foreign trade in these articles. The dealers, however, have 

 been in the habit of sending their orders chiefly to New York, Boston, and 

 New Orleans, whence there is a greater facility of shipment. Some small 

 shipments are made from Beaufort. 



The pitch pine yields five different substances, which are included in 

 the resinous sap, and obtained thence by extraction and subsequent distil- 

 lation. Turpentine is the resin in the liquid state, drawn from the tree 

 while growing, by incision and heat of the sun. Spirit or oil of tur- 

 pentine is obtained by distillation, and the portion which remains in 

 the retort is rosin. The black rosin, or colophony, is the cooled brittle 

 mass in the state in which it leaves the still ; the amber, or yellow coloured, 

 is the same rosin mixed with about one-eighth part of water, while it is 

 yet fluid. Rosin is used in soap-making, as a varnish, and for plaisters, &c. 

 250 lbs. of turpentine yield 60 lbs. of oil. 



The oil of turpentine, sometimes called essence of turpentine, and 

 familiarly " turps," as found in commerce, contains more or less water, 

 from which it may be freed by re-distillation along with water. It is 

 colourless, limpid, very fluid, and possessed of a very peculiar smell. Its 

 specific gravity, when pure, is - 780. It always reddens litmus-paper, 

 from containing a small proportion of succinic acid. According to Opper- 

 mann, the oil which has been repeatedly rectified over chloride of calcium 

 consists of 84-60 carbon, 11-73 hydrogen, and 367 oxygen. When oil of 

 turpentine contains a little alcohol, it burns with a clear flame ; but other- 

 wise it affords a very smoky flame. Chlorine inflames this oil, and muriatic 



