Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1883 — Petroleum. [ARTICLE]

Petroleum.

In its original state, petroleum has a murky green color, and it needs refining before it is fit for illuminating pur-, poses. It is distilled in pans, with great furnaces blaring beneath them; and, as the vapors arise from the blazing liquid, they are convened into pipes surrounded by water, in which they are condensed. The first vapors condense into naphtha, and those produced by longer heating give the 'burning oil. * About 5 per cent, of the crude oil put irito the pans, or stills, remains in the form of tar, which, by another course of treatment, is converted into paraffine and coke. After distillation the refined oil is no longer green, but is as trausparent as spring water, and beautifully tinged with purples and blues. It is not ready for use, however, and has yet to be washed. The idea of washing oil may seem absurd, but it is quite practicable. The fluid is emptied into a large circular tank, in which it is treated with acids, which are poured in and mixed with it by a powerful air-pressure from beneath. When it has been well shaken up it is allowed to settle, and the acids then separate from it and sink to the bottom of the tank, taking with them some of the tar that remained in the oil. The acids are then removed, and the oil is washed with salt water, which is mixed with it and agitated. Suffocating fumes come up from the tank, and the more they are shaken out of the oil the safer it is, for they are the explosive part of it. Finally, it is bleached, and it is then ready for the shops. You tlt ’« Companion. ' The pangs of hunger will drive man and animals to do most revolting acts. Not long since we fead of a pack of hungry wolves in Russia devouring a priest. But what must have been the desperation of the rat who took a bite at the toe of a New York drummer who was sleeping in a hotel at Fort, Worth ? The rat got enough at one. bite, but what a dreadful thing hunger is when it drives animals to such dire extremities.