HAYES AND 
KENNEDY. 
POKT ARTHUR-SABINE PASS DISTRICT. 109 
upon which rests the mat upon which the jetty is constructed yield 
the most oil. The oil is not equally distributed, but is more abun- 
dant at some points than at others, being most abundant at the edge 
of the mat. It is reported that the workmen observed oil in the mud 
at the time the jetty was constructed. 
"A sample of 2 cc. of this oil was collected under great difficulties, 
as the globules break on reaching the surface of the water. From 
it the oil was extracted with ether. Upon evaporation of the ether a 
thick black oil was obtained, possessing not a disagreeable odor, and 
much thicker than crude Beaumont oil. An attempt was made to 
compare it with Beaumont oil by violently shaking a sample of the 
latter with mud and sea water at intervals for three days, distilling 
with steam for two hours, and extracting with ether. The residual 
oil still possessed its characteristic odor, though not so marked, and 
it was not as thick as the oil collected from the mud. It did not seem 
possible to identify other oil from the mud with the Beaumont oil. 
"The various samples of mud were carefully examined for oil. 
Each sample was repeatedly extracted with redistilled ether. The 
extracts, after evaporation of the ether, yielded a very thin film of a 
greenish-yellow residue containing sulphur. A blank determination 
showed that the method was capable of extracting a globule of oil about 
3 mm. in diameter after it had been thoroughly worked into the mud. 
Two samples, Nos. 109 and 114, yielded trace of oil. The other sam- 
ples were free of oil. The presence of sulphur is not unusual in dark- 
colored muds, arising as it does from the decomposition of organic 
material. 
"The salt-water diatoms multiply very rapidly, and their shells 
would in time fill up the tropical seas were in not for their enemies, 
which devour them in enormous numbers. The region in the Gulf of 
Mexico, whence were obtained the samples of muds, is not especially 
favorable for the accumulation of diatoms, judging from the number 
of diatoms actually found in the mud. Many species of diatoms 
belonging to the various genera, namely Navicula, Pleiirosigmn, 
Rhoicosigma, Mellosira, and Coscinodiscus, were found in the sam- 
ples. The species of Navicula and Pleurosigma are the most numer- 
ous. Of the entire mass only a very small fraction consists of diatom 
shells. The mud consists largely of thoroughly macerated organic 
material mixed with grains of silica. A 10 per cent hydrochloric 
acid produced just a slight effervescence. 
"The microscopical and chemical examination of the samples of 
mud gave the following results : 
No. 105. Collected 6 feet below the surface, which was covered by 4 feet of water 
at mean tide, on beach, at point marked "A" on map. Few whole 
diatom shells; no living diatoms: no oil. 
No. 106. Collected 30 feet below surface at same place as No. 105. Few pieces of 
broken shells. No living diatoms; no oil. 
