COMPOUNDS FROM DECOMPOSITION OF VEGETABLES. 423 
naphtha, and the fat-oils when heated ; and it unites with spermaceti, wax, 
and most fatty bodies by fusion. It consists of six of carbon and one of 
hydrogen. These singular properties fit it in a remarkable manner for the 
manufacture of candles of a high degree of purity, which are found in use 
to emit no smell, and to. give an intense colourless light. 
5. Hydro-Carbon Solvent. This oil, which is of a thin transparent 
quality, is well adapted for dissolving gum-elastic, gutta percha, and various 
resins, and will in all probability command extensive use in the preparation 
of a cheap varnish for rendering sailcloths and other textile fabrics im- 
permeable to moisture. 
6. Fixed Oil. This body, in combination with tallow, will find general 
use in lubricating machinery, or mixed with common oils it will greatly 
assist, the manufacture of a cheap lamp-oil. 
To this we will only add, that the supply of the material is 
almost unlimited. Ireland alone, out of her 20,000,000 acres, 
is estimated as possessing no less than 2,8S0,000 acres, or 
nearly one seventh of her entire surface of bog-earth. So in the 
bituminous shale or schist, which abounds in Dorsetshire, an 
analogous substance exists, and from it, consequently, the 
like compounds may be, and indeed have been, obtained. 
“The following are the products of the shale after it has 
undergone what is technically termed a highly destructive 
distillation — mineral oil or spirit, asphaltum, grease, paraf- 
fine; the residuum, after being crushed, forming the basis of 
what it is fully expected will prove an extremely valuable 
manure. 
“ As in the peat, sulphate of ammonia is found to exist in 
considerable quantities, and also phosphate of lime. It is 
not intended, however, to offer these substances to the public 
by themselves, but to mix them with the residuum or manure, 
the chemical virtues of which will thereby be considerably 
enhanced.” 
That, however, which has directed our attention to this sub- 
ject is the fact that at the soirees of some of the scientific 
societies held during the past month, have been exhibited the 
products of Burmese naphtha, or Rangoon tar, as it is com- 
monly designated. “ Some account of this tar was communi- 
cated to the Royal Society, last year, by Mr. Warren de la Rue, 
showing it to be rich in materials for the chemist ; and since 
then, by diligent researches, most satisfactory results have been 
obtained. As Mr. Barlow explained, in a lecture at the Royal 
Institution, the practical results have been worked out in the 
laboratory atPrice^s celebrated candle-factory atVauxhall; and 
what these are was shown by the specimens exhibited. Out 
of that black tar, the chemist extracts Belmontine x a beautiful 
wax-like substance, of which candles are made so brilliant and 
transparent that wax appears dull in comparison. Three 
qualities of oil are also obtained ; one resembling gin in ap- 
