TO THE COURT OF AVA. 
99 
was stated, according to goodness, to vary 
from thirty to five hundred, the average giving 
about two hundred and thirty-five viss ; and 
the number of wells was sometimes given as 
low as fifty, and sometimes as high as four 
hundred. The average made about two hun¬ 
dred ; and considering that they are spread 
over sixteen square miles, as well as that the 
oil is well known to be a very general article 
of consumption throughout the country, I do 
not think this number exaggerated. This esti¬ 
mate will make the consumers of petroleum for 
burning amount to 2,066,721. 
In the narrative of one of my predecessors, 
Captain Cox, the number of wells is given as 
high as 520, and the average daily produce of 
each well is reckoned at 300 viss, which makes 
the whole annual produce 56,940,000. Calcu¬ 
lating as before, this produce will give a popu¬ 
lation of 6,959,331. This is a much higher 
estimate than my rough data afford ; but even 
this, it will be observed, gives but a very 
low estimate of the probable population of the 
empire. Calculations formed from such crude 
materials, and which would be justly disre¬ 
garded where means of gaining more accu¬ 
rate information are within reach, have their 
value in a country in which exact details are 
h 2 
