These experimental studies are planned (1) to show whether the various fossil constituents in an oil shale or other carbonaceous rock are characterized by differences in their chemical constitution that will result in differences in the temperatures at which they volatilize or undergo change of state; (2) to determine whether and how far the same kinds of fossil constituents react at the same temperatures in shales more highly carbonized by natural processes; (3) to secure such information as may be gained by the same methods as to the stages of carbonization at which the various fossil components fail to give evidence of chemical distinction; (4) to show what physical constituents of the "shale" yield oils or other condensible distillates by heat treatment; and (5) to se ure data for the determination of the proportions and qualities of the distillate (with inferences as to natural oils) that are derived from one fossil commodity or another.

The methods are new and are not yet fully developed and the experimental results are but partly interpreted. For the completion of objectives 4 and 5, above listed, retort distillations of check samples and chemical examinations of the products are required to supplement the microfurnace observations.