Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-08-10
substances extracted from Coal.

| Only few years have passed since the eA
traction of oils from coal has become known j
this country, and this branch of industry nov
begins to attract the general attention.
AS the manufacture and different uses to whicl
the various products of coal can be applied ar
not generally known, beg to give hereby brie
sketch, with the hope that it may prove usefu
for general information.
The quality of coal used for the extraction Q
oils is the so called "Canne" coal; the bitumi
nous Goals can also be used The Camel Goa
is of very compact structure, of brownisl
black color, and of slstey appearance withou
lustre. This coal, in Scotland called "Parro
coal" burns with very brilliant light, and wa
in England sometimes used as a substitute TO
candles, practice which has led to the now u
Universally adopted name Camel (candle) COAL
II does not soil the fingers when handled, ant
admits of being polished. Snuff boxes, brace
lets and other ornaments have been made or II
The opinions as to the origin of this coal ar
various have lately examined some very hn
specimens Of Camel coal from Marion county
Va, and examining the coke left after dry dis
tillatioD, found that it evidently presents tn
same firm woody structure as charcoal mad
from the wood of the palm tree This coal yield
ed large quantity of excellent illuminating ga
and also considerable amount Of oils and par
affipe or coal wax.
The first liquid is s'Nap1ta," light and high
" combustible oil; it is extensively used for dis
solving India rubber and coutchouo. When pu
rified and redistilled, it is adapted to dissolve
resins and gums for the manufacture OF yarnish
es. It has been successfully prescribed as rem
dy for rheumatic pains, and it can also be uset
for the extraction of odiferous powders from
flowers. By simple treatment this Naptha Il
converted into "Bensole," an oil which promises
to be of great commercial Importance. Wool
silk and other stuffs made into fabrics, can most
effectually be cleaned from all adhering fatty
oils aud grease by simply sleeping them in ben
zole.n In England and France this liquid is al
SO yery extensively used, and preferred to al
kalies, because Benzole does not impart the col
or, and is free from any resinous impurlty: by
treating this oil with nitric acid, Nitro Be1aso-
le" is formed, which has the agreeable smell OF
the essence Of bitter almonds, and can with ad-
vantage be used in perfumery.
The next fluid coming from the still Is light
oil, the same as is now used under the name OF
"K erosene.n "Coal" or "Carbon Oil" and burn
ed in lamps; 1T is not erplosipe and furnishes q
most beautiful brilliant light. /,
If properly purified it has very little smell, and
burns without smoke, in appropriate lamps. a
time may not be distant when thfs coal oat aoat!
be used as fuel in steam boilers, stoces furnaces
The same oil can successfully be employed to
impregnate and preserve wood from decompo'
sition.
By re.distiation another highly interesting
article "C5sosoIe" or" Cu5olte Acid,' Is extrackf
ed. which has the extraordinary property to pre-
serve meat and other bodies from decomposition.
Carbolic acid added to tanning extracts, so diff
icult to preserve from decomposition, will pre-
serve the same for any length of time-a highly
important property for dyers.
BY further treatment this oil is converted In
to "Ccr6o Asotic Acia," beautiful straw yell
low dye for silk and wooden fabrics. The IN
tense bitter of this extract induced several ply
sicans in Paris and London to try it as tebri-
fuge, and several cases OF intermittent fever nave
been cured by it.
The third substance coming directly from the
still is heavy fatty oil, which when properly
purified gives an excellent Iu6ricator. From
this oil 'Parq5fns or Coal War," crystalizes, and
when pressed and refined, is made into beau
tiful candles, superior to any sperm, wax or
candles.
Another very interesting product can be e1.
tracted from this heavy oil, namely, "hyanolt'
or "anyZine," which gives with bleaching pow
der and another agent O magnificent blue solor.
Nav not indigo and msdder be replaced by
these "coal dyes?" :,
What remains in the retort or still is "coke'
of great hardness, an excellent fuel for iron fur
naces and parlor CRATES.
The "aan,onia" with water, which are also
formed at the distillation, can when mixed with
sulphate of lime, which binds this volatile body
and other Impurities, be made into excellent
"guano."
On visiting the city gas works | find that the
refuse. consisting Of sulphate of lime, ammonia
water and tar, is not proftaby made use OIL
This latter is burned as fuel under the retorts,
the lime is taken away by the parties who sup
ply it and the ammonia water is run into the pa-
sin. This refuse, would suggest, could with
but little expense be turned to profitable ac-
count. From this sketch the reader will De g.
hle to form an idea OF the great part KING
CoAL" is bound to play in our industrial depart
ment. and also how important the development
of this branch of manufacture will become to the
coal mining States, as the extraction OF olls VIII
in future not be exclusively confined to Cannel
coal, but also, as have demonstrated oy my
Athracite Goals
WHERE MosQUlToEs CONE FRoM.-These pests
of summer proceed from the animalcules com.
monly called "wiggle tail" If bowl of water
is placed in the summers sun for few days, q
number of ''wigge tails" will be visible, and
they will increase in size until they reach three
sixteenth of an inch in length, remaining longer
at the surface as they approach maturity, as II
seeming to live on influences derived from the
two elements of air and water; finally they will
assume chrysalys form and by an increased
specific gravity sink to the bottom of the bowl.
A few hours only will elapse, when short
black furze or hair will grow xoRp every side
of each, till it assumes the fa minute cat
erpiar. It's specific grayit bus coun,
teracted, it will readily flo Stace and
be waited to the side of they ehe sligntes'
breath of air. In short tiD6.a ny VIII De
hatched and escape leaving its tiny house upon
the surface of the water.
Any one who has had cistern in the yard
has doubtless observed the same effect every
summer. although he may be ignorant OF The
beautiful and simple process of development.
IF a pitcher of cistern or other water is placed
in a close room over pight, from which all mos
ouitoes have previously been excluded, enough
MOSQUITOES will breed from it during the nign'
to give any satisfactory amount of troubls. In In
fact, standing by shallow, half stagnant poo
on midsummers day, the full Development o.
any number of '.wiggle tails to the mosquito
state can be witnessed, and the origin, OF these
disturbers of nights slumbers thus fully ascer'
tained.- Scientific american.
A PnYsIoIAN's DIARY OF BUSINESS. pocke'
diary was picked up on the street in Boston
From the following extracts it appears the loser
was a "medikul mani"
Kase 23O. Mary An Perkins, Biznes, wash
erwoman, Siknes in her bed. Fisk sum nlus @
bills soaperifik; aged 81. Ped me one do'lar
l kuarter boges. Mind get good kusrter anc
make her tax mo fisk. ~.