The Delta of the Alabama [pp. 469-475]

THE DELTA OF THE ALABAMA.
Art. III.-THIE DELTA OF THE ALABAMIA.
THa application of the principles of inductive philosophy to geologicMa research, has so simplified the science and facilitated the labor of
investigation as to render it an object of much practical utility. By
this means, in connection with those interesting developments which
have been made in a region hitherto concealed firom observation, the
science has commended itself to the favorable notice of almost every
class of the community. It is therefore not surprising that so large a
share of individual effort should be enlisted in this department of knowledge, so replete with the means to gratify the curiosity and reward
the industry of its admirers.
The many who are thus devoted docti et indocti, may, for aught that
is presumed, realize the fuilfilment of their largest expectations. But it
must not be forgotten that "there is nothing truly valuable to be obtained without pains and labor." Although the science owes its present advancement in a great measure to the suggestions of a humble
oil;' and in the French, and most if not all of those of the northern commercial nations,' the best purified and clarified colza, or rape-seed oil.' The difference in the
price of these oils in Europe is ordinarily very great, and to this difference may be attributed in some measure the greater expense of maintaining the British lights. The
subject has been attracting the attention of the Trinity board for several years past;
in consequence of which experiments have been made both in light-houses and in
London, under the direction of a scientific person, to test the relative advantages of
the two oils. The results of these experiments have been sufficiently favorable to
the colza to warrant us in the belief that it will be generally employed in the British
lights at no distant period. We witnessed the experiment at one of the light-houses
in which four of Wilkins' catoptric lamps, with the colza, were employed by the side
of Argand lamps with sperm oil. We also witnessed a similar experiment at the shop
of an artisan in London, at which two lamps were employed. On both of these occasions the difference in the flames, to the eye, was very perceptible, the colza producing much the whitest and brightest light. It is also asserted that there is less difficulty in keeping the colza oil liquid in winter, and any impurities that may be in it
are more easily detected than in the best sperm oil. It is presumed, however, there
would be very little economy in substituting the colza for the sperm oil now in general
use in our light-houses-at least not to the extent that it produces in Europe, where
the sperm is comparatively very expensive, but if it produces a better light is more
easily kept ill a proper state for burning during the winter season, and the impurities
arising from the mixture of other oils with it more easily detected, then there can be
no reason why it should not be introduced; and with a view to that end, we respectfully suggest the propriety of having a series of experiments made upon it and
other oils by some competent person. The vegetable from which it is made might be,
without doubt, cultivated to advantage in the United States, particularly if in the
course of events any thing should occur to break up or render unproductive, our whale
fisheries in the Pacific. The subject is one which we deem of considerable interest
and importance in several points of view, but especially in that which refers to it as a
better combustible for illuminating purposes than sperm oil of the finest qualty. We
are strongly impressed with the belief that to this oil as much as to the fineness and
superiority of the illum nating apparatus, may be ascribed the high reputation, not to,
,ay the superiority to all others, of the French lights."
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