201 
] 913-14.] The Organic Matter in Oil- Shales. 
has been through the above steps, as no doubt the different substances 
experimented on were produced under different conditions of moisture, 
temperature, bacterial action, etc. Each product may, however, represent 
the end point of a definite series of reactions produced by definite condi- 
tions. The close relationship between the formulae for the shale acids, peat 
acid, and cannel coal-acid may signify a definite stopping-place in the 
process of decomposition of vegetable matter, the carbon having increased 
at the expense of the hydrogen and highly complex substances having been 
formed. 
There would seem to be no experimental ground for concluding that 
animal remains are mingled with this vegetable product, as on careful 
examination no trace of phosphates could be found in samples of torbanite, 
Broxburn, Camps, or Dunnet shales, and as the lime in the ash of shales is 
low, varying from a “ trace ” to P55 per cent. ( Oil-Shales of the Lothians, 
1912, pp. 159, 161). 
Summary. 
1. The carbon-hydrogen ratio varies in the oil-shales from 6 to 8 and 
over. The lower this ratio the larger is the amount of oil produced from a 
definite percentage of organic matter. The carbon-hydrogen ratio is, in 
all the shales examined, lower than that of ordinary bituminous coals. 
The oil-shales are thus distinct from coals, although the richer varieties 
may approach cannel coals in properties. 
2. There is but little resinous substance in oil-shales, the main bulk of 
the organic material being insoluble in organic solvents. 
3. The organic substance in oil-shale is a decomposition product of 
vegetable matter (originally algse, spores, or simply concretions of macerated 
organic material) similar in nature to that found in peat and in cannel 
coal, and produced by a definite combination of external conditions. 
In conclusion, I desire to thank Dr Flett for suggesting the lines of this 
research ; Mr R. G. Carruthers, Mr D. Tait, Mr D. R. Steuart, F.I.C., Mr Wm. 
Caldwell, and Messrs Muir & Co. for assistance in securing samples ; and 
Professor Walker, Dr J. E. Mackenzie, Dr Gordon, and Dr Campbell for 
their advice, assistance, and criticism throughout the research. 
{Issued seyaralely July 15, 1914.) 
