166

is supposed to have originated through one of two main processes,
(1) by inorganic, and (2) by organic agencies.

Perhaps the strongest argument that the upholders of the
inorganic theory put forth is the well known occurrence of
hydrocarbon gases in volcanoes, and coincidently, in volcanic
rocks.! The bitumen in the Graham Island basalts, it will no
doubt be argued by some, is of inorganic origin, and perhaps
this cannot be absolutely disproved. However, the occurrence
of similar bitumen in the sediments of the Maude formation,
where it is clearly of organic origin,? the fact that the Masset
basalts have penetrated these sediments, and that an amygda-
loidal dyke cutting the bituminous argillites of the Maude for-
mation has been found to contain oil and tar, point irresistibly
to the conclusion that the bitumen has been absorbed from the
Maude formation by the passage through these rocks of the
basalt together with heated waters and gases connected with
the intrusion, and that it is, therefore, primarily of organic origin.

The physical chemistry of the process would be analogous
to that involved in the case of the gases dissolved in metals,
which are given up on cooling.

“OZOCERITE.”’

Paraffin wax in a high state of purity has been found
at a number of localities on the coast of Graham island; and
it has been supposed by some to be ozocerite or natural paraffin,
and to be an indication of petroleum deposits at depth.

The wax has been found on the west coast, in the neigh-
bourhood of Frederick island and Tian point and on the north
coast, near Parry passage. It is reported to have been found
also on Kumdis island, in Masset inlet. The wax has never
been found in veins or cavities in the rocks; in other words,
it has not been seen in place, and has been found only as cakes
on the beach, evidently cast up by the waves. Those who main-

1 For summary of this subject see:
Becker, G. F., U.S. Geol. Surv., Bull 401, 1909.
2 Ante, p. 264.
3 Hofman, H. O., ‘General Metallurgy,’’ McGraw-Hill Book Co., N.Y., 1914, p. 20. Many
references are given here on this subject.
Sieverts, A. Revue de Met. Extraits, vol. 5, 1908, p. 10.