Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-05-30
From the Boston Transcript, May IA
OIL FROM WATER.

In certain parts of the western States there is
found floating on the surface of the small streams
an oily substance of the consistency and color of
thin molasses and possessing strong bltumlnous
odor 1t sometimes exudes from the earth IN what
called star springs, and running into the mel
ghboring brooks, flows into the larger streams and
rivers For years this article has supplied the means
of light to the settlers in the neighborhood, who
have been accustomed to Saturate blanket by lay
ing it upon the surface OF one OF these streams ana
then collecting the floating oil. And it has frequent
ly come to pass that individuals of moderate capa-
city, of whom it has been disparagingly remarked
that they would "never set the river on fire., have
falsied the assertion by actually 1gnlt1ng portion
of the running stream.
The substance which is thus floating about wait
ing to be bursed, is, petroleum., or as it is usual
ly called rock oil" product of vegetable decom-
position found in various parts of the world but es
peciay 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 render it important article of domes-
tic consumption A company of gentlemen have
purchased tract of land in Venango county, Pa,
with the view of bringing the oil into use, and have
submitted specimens to Professor Benjamin SILL
man, Jr of New Haven, for chemical examination
as to the value of the article for Illuminating and
lubricatng purposes.
The result of Professor Simans Investigations,
which have been carried on during the past winter,
is highly favorable to the of the enterprise
By means of distilation he obtained from the crude
material as taken from the surface of the water,
about 90 per cent of the whole product in a series
of oils having valuable properties, though not all
equally fitted for illumination and fabrication By
the distlaton, about SO per cent. of the
material is obtained in the form of thin, lght-col-
ored oil, of faint bituminous order, and density
of $50. Its value illumination was tested with
the following results:
l. The oil is burned to the best advantage in the
common camphene lamp, with glass cone to direct
the current of air, as with an unprotected Wick 1t
smokes badly.
g When burned for twelve hours the uniformity
of the light was greater than that of camphene, and
neither the wicks nor the tubes crusted. The
light was pure and white without odor.
q 3. Tested by photometer, apparatus for the
measurement oflght the rock oil proved, in rigid
comparison with other Illuminating agents, superior
to them all in the intensity of light and economy OF
consumption. The article which most nearly ap-
preached it camphene, which, with more than
double the consumption of fluid, produced a degree
Of light but about one-tifth greater.
AS lubricator, the rock oil is pronounced by
Professor Silliman to possess the advantage of re-
naming fluid at temperature of 15 degrees below
Zero of being entirely free from any corrosive quail
ity, and of not becoming gummy, acid or rancid by
exposure to the air.
There are other properties of this singular sub
stance which will add to it's Importance natural
produce of the soil. Professor Silliman is
gagged in series of interesting experiments upon
its value material for producing gas, and upon
the product of the last distillation substance
which, in the form of parafine, resembles sperma-
ceti and from which excellent candles may be made.
1t is expected that the arrangements for dist!lng
the rock oil will be completed by next fall and the
article sold at moderate price. With sperm oil at
two dollars and half gallon, candies at proper
tionate price, and the explosive burning fluids only
to be used at the risk of ones life illumination,
which shall combine the advantages of cheapness,
safety and brilliancy of light cannot fail
into extensive use The tract of land-about
hundred acres-now owned by the company, will
yield average supply of about five hundred gall
Ions per day; but arrangements will probably be
made for increasing the supply by more extended
operations.