196 REPORT OF THE 



pany, 10 cwts. of which generate the same steam power as 17| 

 cwts. of pit coal. Peat is very extensively employed on the 

 steamers which ply in the waters in and about Ireland, and 

 even upon the river Shannon, in the midst of a coal bearing 

 country. Some of the prepared peats of France are also said 

 to be economically employed for stationary steam engines, and 

 even for locomotives. 



The uses to which peat has been profitably applied do not 

 stop even here. A company exists at Kilberny, in Ireland, hav- 

 ing a factory in operation in which they produce from peat, Tar, 

 Paraffine, Oil, Naphtha, Sulphate of Ammonia, and a Gas, the 

 combustion of which is applied to the manufacture of Iron. 

 The most thorough and extensive manufacture of these pro- 

 ducts, however, seems to be effected by Messrs. Babonneau & 

 Co., at Paris. According to Mr. Armand, the skillful chemist 

 of this establishment, good peat yields, on an average, about 

 40 per cent, of charcoal, 15 to 18 per cent, of crude oil contain- 

 ing paraffine, 36 per cent, of water containing carbonate, acetate 

 and sulphydrate of ammonia, and a little wood spirit, besides 

 7J per cent, of inflammable gases and loss. The ammonia is 

 equal to 2 per cent, of sal ammoniac. The oil, by distillation, is 

 separated into a light oil or naphtha which is burned for illumi- 

 nation, in lamps of a peculiar construction, and a heavy, less 

 volatile portion which is used for lubricating machinery, or ig 

 mingled with fat oils for burning in ordinary lamps. There is 

 obtaimed besides, a portion of solid bitumen or pitch amounting 

 to 4 or 5 per cent, of the dried peat. The paraffine, which is 

 dissolved in the oils, is separated by exposing them to cold, and 

 is afterwards purified. The yield of this product is 2 or 3 per 

 cent, of the peat. When pure, it is a white, fusible crystalline 

 solid, devoid of taste or smell, much resembling spermaceti in 

 appearance, and like it employed in the manufacture of candles. 

 The price of paraffine in France is a little more than one franc 

 per pound. 



The gas evolved during the distillation of peat may be em- 

 ployed, as at Kilberry, in Ireland, for the purposes of heating, 



