process of the decomposition of the animal remains would consist in the formation of ammonia and nitrogenous bases, the action being aided by the presence of air, moisture, and micro-organisms, at the same time, owing to the well known antiseptic properties of salt, the decomposition would go on slowly, allowing time for more sand and inorganic matter to be deposited.  In this way the decomposing matter would be gradually protected from the action of the air, and finally the various fatty substances would be found mixed with large amounts of salt, under considerable pressure, and at a somewhat high temperature.  From this adipocere, fatty acids would be gradually formed, the glycerol being washed away, and finally the acids would be decomposed by the pressure into hydrocarbons and free carbonic acid gas.  That many of these hydrocarbons would be solid at ordinary temperatures, forming the so-called mineral wax, which exists in many places in large quantities, is much easier to imagine, in the light of modern chemical knowledge, than that the fatty acids were at once split up into the simpler liquid hydrocarbons, to be afterward condensed into the more complex molecular forms of the solid substance.

In this way from animal matter are in all probability formed the vast petroleum deposits, the three substances, adipocere, ozokerite, and petroleum oil being produced in chronological order, just as lignite, brown coal and coal are formed by the gradual decomposition of vegetable remains.

* * * * *

THE ORIGIN OF PETROLEUM.[1]

  [Footnote 1:  Abstract of a paper read before the British
  Association, Cardiff meeting, 1891, Section G.]

By O.C.D.  Ross, M.Inst.C.E.

Petroleum is one of the most widely distributed substances in nature, but the question how it was originally produced has never yet been satisfactorily determined, and continues a problem for philosophers.  In 1889 the total production exceeded 2,600,000,000 gallons, or about 10,000,000 tons, and, at fourpence per gallon, was worth about L44,000,000, while the recognition of its superior utility as an economical source of light, heat, and power steadily increases; but, notwithstanding its importance in industry, the increasing abundance of the foreign supply, and the ever-widening area of production, practical men in England continue to distrust its permanence, and owing to the mystery surrounding its origin, and the paucity of indications where and how to undertake the boring of wells, they hesitate to seek for it in this country, or even to extend the use of it whenever that would involve alterations of existing machinery.  The object of this paper is to suggest an explanation of the mystery which seems calculated to dissipate that distrust, since it points to very abundant stores, both native and foreign, yet undiscovered, and even in some localities to daily renovated provisions of this remarkable oil.