Revieiv of Recent Geological Literature. 389 
eminently painstaking and accurate, and though written in 1887 it has 
suffered little from subsequent discoveries. 
The work opens with a review of current theories as to the origin of 
gas and oil which confessedly owes much to the older work of Peck- 
ham, but those familiar with Dr. Orton's other writings need not be 
reminded that he rejects the distillation hypothesis of Peckham for 
Dr. Hunt's theory, which, however, is considerably modified to adapt 
it to recent discoveries in Ohio. The following summary briefly indi- 
cates the conclusions reached. 
(1) Petroleum is derived from organic matter. 
(2) It is more largely derived from vegetable than animal substances. 
(3) Petroleum of the Pennsylvania type is derived from the organic 
matter of bituminous shales and is of vegetable origin. 
(4) Petroleum of the Canada and Lima type is derived from lime- 
stones and is of animal origin. 
(5) Petroleum has been produced at normal rock temperatures (in 
Ohio fields) and is not a product of destructive distillation of bitumin- 
ous shales. 
(6) The stock of petroleum in the rocks is already practically com- 
plete. 
The second chapter contains a lucid discussion of the modes of accu- 
mulation of oil and gas. It may well be a matter of surprise to many 
that the anticlinal theory of gas location — obvious induction that it is — 
should have been so long seeking recognition as the history proves. 
The following chapter, embracing the history of the exploiting and de- 
velopment of the Findlay field, reads like a romance. 
The first discovery on record of inflammable gas in the Findlay field 
was made while digging a well, three and a half miles south of the 
court house, in October, 1836. On lowering a torch into the excavation 
after nightfall to ascertain its condition, the workmen were startled 
by an explosion, and a flame of considerable volume was afterward 
found burning on the surface of the water below. The difficulty in 
finding potable water was, indeed, one of the most constant indications 
of the presence of gas. "From statements now made, it is clear that 
the presence of inflammable gas has been known in Findlay and its 
vicinity since the country was first occupied. There have always been 
surface indications here of pronounced character, the most conspicuous 
of which are the sulphureted water of wells and springs, the escape of 
gas from springs and rock-crevices, and its presence in numerous ex- 
cavations carried down to the limestone rock * * * * But it is 
also clear that it was likewise universally deplored as a nuisance that 
must be endured because it could not be abated." The gas was first 
utilized in 1838 by means of a primitive reservoir and burner composed 
of an inverted sugar kettle and a gun barrel. The fire thus lighted has 
continued practically ever since, but the first person who is known to 
have recognized the larger possibilities of the Findlay gas was Dr. 
Chas. Oesterlin who long vainly attempted to interest his neighbors 
