DERIVATION.--A mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly of the marshgas series,
obtained by distilling off the lighter and more volatile portions from
petroleum and purifying the residue when it has the desired consistence.
PROPERTIES.--A colorless, or more or less yellowish, oily transparent
liquid without odor or taste; or giving off, when heated, a faint odor
of petroleum. Insoluble in water; scarcely soluble in cold or hot
alcohol, or cold absolute alcohol; but soluble in ether, chloroform,
carbon disulphide, oil of turpentine, benzine, benzol and fixed and
volatile oils.