The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-06-01
OIL FROM WATER.


commerce, and as 1t promises to come into
general use for Illuminating and lubricating
purposes, the particulars of its history and
properties, may not be devoid of interest to
the general reader:
In some of the Western States there is
found, upon the surface of the small streams,
an oily substance of the consistency and color
of thin molasses, and possessing strong
bluminous door. 1t not unfrequently exudes
from the earth in what are called tar springs,
and flowing into the neighboring brooks, is
carried into the larger streams and rivers.-
For years this oil has furnished the means of
light to persons living in the vicinity, who
have been in the habit of saturaling blanket
by spreading it upon the surface of one Of
these streams and collecting the oil with APP.
propriate vessels. individuals have at times
amused themselves by ignitng the eombus-
tible substance while floating upon The water
and thus setting "the river on fire." and no
doubt in some instances, by this means fall
sifying the prediction made BY way Of dis
paraging their moderate abilities, that the
performance of such feat by them would
'never" take place.
This oil which is thus floating about, is
"PetroleUm," or as it is commonly called,
"Rock Oil" the resultant of vegetable de-
composition, peculiar to various parts OF the
world, but especially in the coal districts of
the United States. IN the northwestern part
Of Pennsylvania it may be gathered in large
quantities, and of quality which bids fair 10
render it an important article of domestic
4 l,at N In
purchased tract of land in Verango county,
in that State, with the view Of bringing the
oil into immediate use A chemical exami
nation of the crude material shows that 80
per cent. of the whole product may be OBJ
ianed in 4 series of oils, having valuable
properties, though not AL equally fitted for
Illumination and fabrication. By the original
dstiIlatiOn, about so per cent. of the raw ms
terial is obtained in the form of thin, liIht
colored oil, of Il faint btumnous edor, and
density of about 750 AS IN iluminatve,
this article proved itself superior 10 all others
in Intensity Of light and economy of conSump-
tim. il is burned to the best advantage in
the common camphene lamp with glass
cone TO direct the current Of air. The light
is pure and white, without Odor and neither
the wicks nor the tubes are crustcd during
combustion. As lubricator, the rock oil
possesses the advantage of remaining fluid at
a temperature of Is deg. below zero, of being
entirely free from any corrosive quality, and
of not becoming gummy, acid, or rancid by
exposure TO the air.
A contemporary announces that Professor
Silliman is now engaged in series OF inter
esting experiments upon the value Of rock
oil as material for producing gas, and upon
the product of the last distIIation rs sub
stance which in the form Of parafne resem-
bles spermaceti, and from which excellent
candles may be made. The tract Of land
about one hundred acres-owned by the
company engaged in its manufacture, will
yield IN average supply Of five hundred GAL
Ions per day, but arrangements, it is stated,
will be made for increasing the supply by
more extended operations. With sperm oil
at two dollars and a half gallon, candles at
proportionate price, and the explosive burn
ing fluids only to be used at the risk Of life
aud property, new lluminator, which shall
combine the advantages OF cheapness, safety,
and JriIliancy Of light, cannot fail to come
into extensive use. .s