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

A new oil is about to become nm article of
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 10
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 moasses, and possessing n strong
bitumin0us oGor. II not unfrequcntly exudes
from the earth IN what are called tar springs,
and Ilowing into the ncighboring 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 saturating blanket
by spreading it upon the surface Of one oil
these streams and collecting the oil with np.
proprate vessels. individuals have ut times
amused themselves by ignilng The combus-
tible substance while floating upon the water
aud thus setting "the river on fire." and no
doubt'in some instances, bv this means fat
aifying the prediction made bv 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 MS ii 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 norhwcstor rn part
Of Pennsylvania it may be gathered in Iat.e
quantities, and of II quality which bids fair 10
render it an important article Of domestic
consumption. We learn that company have
purchased II tract OF land in Vrranao county
| in that State, with the view Of bringing the
oil into immediate use a chemical exami
nation of the crude material shows that 90
per cent Of the whole product may he OBJ
iained in Il series of oils, having valuable
properties, though not a!l equally fitted loI
illumination and luhrication. Bv the original
distillation about so per cent. of the raw ma.
terial is obtained in the form of thin, llht
colorcd oil, of laint binmnous edor, and 4
density of about $50. As an illuminative
this article proved itself superior 10 all others
in Intensity Of light and economy of consump
tion. II 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 crusted during
combustion. As n uhricator, the rock oil
possesses the advantage OF remaining fluid al
temperature Of Is deg. below zero, of being
entirely free from any corrosive quality, and
of not becoming gummy, acid, or rancid by
| exposure 10 tine air.
A contemporary announces that Professor
Siliman is now engaged in II series Of inter
esting experiments upon the value Of rock
oil us material Tor producing gas, and upon
the product of the last dstiIlaton as sub
stance which in the form Of parafne resem
bles spermaceti, and from which eycellcn
candles may be made. The tract of land
about one hundred acres--owncd by the
company engaged in its manufacture, wi
yield an averag'. supply of five hundred gal
Ions per day, hut arrangements, it is stated
will be made fo- increasing the supply b,
more extended operations. With sperm OF
ut two dollars and half n gallon, candles II
proportionate price, and Che explosive burn
inc fluids only to be used at the risk Of If,
aud property, new illuminalGr, which shal
combine the advantages OF chcapncss, safety
and briIIiincy of light, cannot fail 10 com,
into extensive use.