PARAFFIN, is one of the numerous substances which chemical discovery has added to the list of liquid fuels for lamps ; its nature may in some degree be shown by the proceedings in a chancery suit which took place in 1854. In 1850, Mr. Young had taken out a patent for" the treatment of certain bituminous mineral substances, and in obtaining products therefrom." It was Paraffin oil, obtained from bituminous coal. The coal was distilled at a low red heat. If a higher temperature were employed, the elements would be converted into gas and naphthaline; but the lowness of the heat prevented this, and brought over the as an oil rich in paraffin; and this oil, when purified, became useful as it fuel and a lubricator. On the other aide, it appeared that the Hydro Carbon Gas Company of Alanchester were the owners of two patents, obtained by Mr. White, for inventions
relating to the gas manufacture. One was for obtaining a compound gas from the vapours of oil, fat, and tar, combined with hydrogen obtained by the decomposition of water ; while the other was for using resin, tar, fat, or pit coal for the same purpose, but at n white red heat. The defendants sold an oil which they called Paraffin oil, and which the plaintiff claimed as belonging to his patent. The defendant plmded that paraffin is not a new substance, it having been pro duced many years ago by Reichenbach, who showed that it can be obtained from wood.tar and coal-tar. The decision was in favour of the plaintiff, as having adopted a low temperature for obtaining paraffin, on finding that a greater heat would result in the production of naphthalin.
l'ARAFFIN OIL. (Panarele.]