I . Deerfield bituminous coal yields, by vacuum distillation, a number of hydrocarbons, mostly of the series CnHzn-4, resembling the hydrocarbons that compose the neighboring Mahone petroleum.2 . Utah Gilsonite gives members of the series, C,Hz, and C,H2,-2 that resemble the same hydrocarbons in petroleum, also a series of unsaturated hydrocarbons. It contains in large proportion the nitrogen compounds that are found in all petroleum, which demonstrates its organic origin.3. Grahamite gives a series of hydrocarbons resembling those from Gilsonite.4. As above mentioned, there is a no more urgent and promising field of investigation than the composition of the natural bitumens on an adequate scale with a sufKcient outlay of expense and expert labor. [CONTRIBUTION FROM LABORATORY OF THE OFFICE OF SOIL FERTILITY, THE BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.