PETROLEUM, or coal oil, is found in many parts of the world, and is believed to be a result from the decomposition of huge masses of antediluvian fish, in the same way that coal was produced by the decomposition of trees and plants, or to be the actual distillation from coal when the rocks were hot. The In dians used it as a liniment and it was sold as Seneca or Rock Oil for many years Wore processes for refining it were devised. The crude article had been used in past ages in Europe and Asia, hut in that state it was not as economical as many of the vegetable or -animal oils. In 1855 the perfection of refining began to render it really valuable. In the process of refining the crude oil various products are secured, such as naphtha, benzine, gasoline, paraffine oil and wax, and the refined kerosene or illuminating oil. As petroleum is highly inflammable, laws have been passed in differ ent States which restrict its sale for illuminating purposes to cer tain degrees of "flash" or fire-test. It is safe at 130° and is said to lose some of its qualities when refined to a higher grade. The
,Standard 0,1 Company has monopolized the oil business of the United States for several years, and dictates prices and terms very generally. Dealers should look well to the gauge of their oil barrels and destroy the inspector's brands on all the empty pack ages, or they may lose in the gauge and be fined by the govern ment.
7o Test Coal Oil. Put a small quantity of the oil to be tested in a cup, set in a tin of water and slowly warm the water, noticing the degree of heat is the oil by keeping a thermometer immersed in it. When the temperature rises, put a lighted match (an •electric spark is best) quickly over its surface at intervals. As soon as the gas or vapor given off by the heated oil flashes or burns, its test is determined; that is, if it ignites when the mer cury stands at 120°, it is an oil of 120° flash test. This is a sim ple and reliable mode of proving the quality of oil.