Petroleum wells supply the whole Burman empire with oil for lamps, and
also for smearing timber, to protect it against insects, and
particularly the white ant. Its consumption for burning is stated to be
universal, until its price reaches that of sesamum oil, the only other
kind used for lamps. The wells, which occupy a space of about sixteen
square miles, vary in depth from two hundred to two hundred and fifty
feet; the shaft is square, not more than four feet each side, and is
formed by sinking a frame of wood. The oil, on coming up, is about the
temperature of ninety degrees of Fahrenheit. It is thrown into a large
cistern, in the bottom of which are small apertures for the aqueous part
to drain off, when the oil is left for some time to thicken. It is
then put into large earthen jars, placed in rude carts drawn by oxen,
and carried to the banks of the river, from whence it is sent by
water-carriage to every part of the empire. By the number and burden of
the boats employed in this trade, and the number of voyages they are
supposed to make in the course of a year, the exportation from the wells
is estimated to amount to 17,568,000 _vis_, of twenty-six pounds and a
half each. Thirty _vis_ a-year is reckoned to be the average consumption
of a family of five persons and a half; and about two-thirds of the oil
are supposed to be employed for burning.--_Crawfurd's Embassy to Ava._
* * * * *