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The occurrence of potassium nitrate near Goyder's Pass, McDonnell Ranges, Central Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2018

Douolas Mawson
Douolas Mawson*
Affiliation:
University of Adelaide
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Extract

About two years ago an aboriginal at Alice Springs in Central Australia reported that at a spot near the western extremity of the McDonnell Ranges the earth, if thrown upon a camp fire, did not extinguish the flames, but on the contrary increased the blaze. To those who heard the story this suggested the occurrence of oil, and it was decided to make some investigations. With the assistance of the native the spot was visited and located on the map. A sample of a white substance, which stimulated the burning of faggots, was forwarded to Adelaide University for examination and proved to be potassium nitrate. As a consequence Mr. C. T. Madigan, B.E., M.A., and myself paid a visit of inspection to the locality.

Type
Research Article
Information
Mineralogical magazine and journal of the Mineralogical Society , Volume 22 , Issue 128 , March 1930 , pp. 231 - 237
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1930

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References

page 235 note 1 The specimen figured has been presented to the British Museum collection of minerals.

page 236 note 1 Mawson, D. and Cooke, W. T., The phosphatic minerals of Elder Rock. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Australia, 1907, vol. 31, p. 65.Google Scholar

page 236 note 2 This material is very similar to corresponding phosphatic compounds recorded by A. Lacroix from several sources in other parts of the world.

page 237 note 1 Bull. Geol. Survey W. Australia, 1916, no. 67, p. 143.

page 237 note 2 Report on the fixation and utilization of nitrogen. War Dept. Pub.