Viewing it in this light, there seems to be no assignable reason why this formation, in which we trace the fossil flora of the regular coal measures, should be considered any older than the secondary anthracites and bituminous coals of Pennsylvania; and we are sustained in this opinion by the declaration of Dr. Maculloch, that," the coal of secondary origin, containing vegetable remains, is converted into plumbago by the influence of trap, as coal is, daily, in the iron furnaces."*

It is well known, that, until within a comparatively recent period, the beds in which numerous seams of anthracite occur, in Ireland, were confidently termed by distinguished geologists, " transition clay slate, intermixed with considerable beds of quartz." Yet it is now universally admitted that the entire coal field is of no older date than the regular bituminous coal fields elsewhere.

Even the western part of the South Wales coal basin, was at one time called the "Grauwacke series."

Since the foregoing notes were collected, we have been favoured by Dr. Emmons with his volume on the so-called Taconic system, as exemplified in the northern states of the Union; including the Rhode Island coal-fields. The Taconic system, according to the views of the author, and in opposition to those of many eminent geologists, embraces a series of rocks which are supposed to be older than the New York lowest series, and are characterized by a separate class of organic remains. It rests unconformably upon primary schists.

We believe that the author does not comprise within this system the coal formations of Rhode Island, although they repose upon it, and have many lithological characters in common, on account of the proximity of the schistose Taconic rocks which have furnished the greater part of the materials; and consequently they appear to possess a character of much greater antiquity than the coal and subjacent rocks usually exhibit elsewhere.

"That it is possible for a sedimentary rock to retain or assume the characters of the parent rock, is rendered highly probable by the characters of the rocks or slates connected with the Rhode Island coal beds. Here, in connection with the conglomerate, probably of the old red sandstone, there is much material which is a talcose slate, differing but slightly from the talcose slate of the Taconic system. The beds of conglomerate with which these slate beds are in connection, do not appear to be metamorphic; and the whole seems to be merely indurated or hardened slate, the original particles being talc and mica, with some fine quartz. The rock, when complete, is merely an ordinary talcose slate."

Dr. Emmons is somewhat indisposed to admit the metamorphic character of the Rhode Island coal, inasmuch as the slates and conglomerate bear no marks of the action of heat; the fossils are similar in texture to those of other coal-fields, and are free from all traces of fusion; and because if sufficient heat had been applied to volatilize the bitumen of the coal, then ought the slate also to exhibit marks of having been burnt. These reasons, however, do not appear sufficiently conclusive, nor do they apply to the anthracites of Pennsylvania, which exhibit no traces of fusion, neither in the coal, the slates, nor the organic remains. I believe the word "baked" has been frequently applied to this process, and with apparent propriety. Dr. Emmons admits that this coal of Rhode Island is traversed by veins of quartz, which might have been deposited from hot water or aqueous vapour holding

System of Geology, Vol. II. p. 297.

silex in solution. The changing of the coal into graphite still remains to be accounted for.

As relates to the economical value of this anthracite.-On the whole, we see no reason for dissenting from the prediction of Mr. Hitchcock, "that, ere long, the anthracite of Rhode Island, and even that of Worcester, will be considered by posterity, if not by the present generation, as a treasure of great value."

It is objected to this coal, that it will not succeed in an open grate, and that the cold air chills the fire in that position; but that it answers well when consumed in cylinder stoves. The only objection urged in that case, is, that it occasionally forms too much clinker. If we look at the numerous analyses of this coal, and see the small amount of foreign matter which it contains, besides pure carbon, we certainly should not expect such a result. Quantity of Pennsylvania anthracite imported into Providence:

An annually increasing quantity of Nova Scotia coal is also brought into Providence.

ANTHRACITE NEAR PAWTUXET.

An announcement was made, in 1846, of a new locality of anthracite in this state, near the Valley Falls. Subsequently, a mining company has been carrying on some operations here, and report speaks favourably, thus far, of the success of the undertaking, and of the quality of the coal, except in regard to hardness. A depth of one hundred and twenty feet has been sunk, and about five hundred tons of the anthracite were raised in the summer of 1847. The mine is about six miles south of Providence, two from Pawtuxet, and not more than two miles from tide water.

PEAT.

Block Island. The most southern appendage to this state, and included in Dr. Jackson's geological and agricultural survey, in 1840-from whence we obtain the substance of the following details.

"There are no trees upon Block Island, and since wood fuel is too expensive for general use, it most fortunately happens that nature has amply provided the inhabitants with a great and almost inexhaustible supply of peat, or tug, as it is there called. Thus, almost every family owns a peat bog, which is their depository of fuel, from which they draw an ample allowance, yearly.

"Attached to every dwelling we find a 'tug-house,' in which is stored up the winter's fuel; and each family burns from twenty-five to thirty-five cords of peat per annum. The mode of preparing it is-in case it is a first cutting-to split out cakes of it, about six inches square, which are laid upon the bank to dry in part; after which it is turned; and subsequently it is piled up, in open stacks, through which the air circulates and completes the process.

"In case an old bog is dug over the second time, the peat is made by the hands into balls, as large as a twelve-pound cannon shot; and these are laid on the ground partially dried, and then stacked, like piles of cannon-balls. They become firm, and burn very well; giving out a large and clear flame, and making a good coal. The fire-places are all arranged with peat grates,

or frames made of bar-iron, large enough to fill a kitchen fire-place. On this they lay the peat, and it proves to be an excellent fuel; giving a good clear fire, suitable for all kinds of cooking, and for the warming of apartments.

"I think that most persons would give up their prejudices against peat, if they should spend a few weeks among the people of this island.'

The opinion prevails that when tug-bogs have been entirely cut out, by throwing back the loose turf, the peat grows again in forty years, so as to fill the bogs.

Every little valley on Block Island contains a few acres of turf bog; and its depth varies from four to ten feet. There is evidently enough left, even if it does not grow, to supply the inhabitants with fuel for ages. At a great number of points in this state, peat bogs prevail. Besides as fuel, it is used as a valuable ingredient in composts or manures. By analysis, it was found to yield 88 per cent. of vegetable matter, and 12 per cent. of ashes.

Some peat from another part of the state gave 88.6 vegetable matter, 9.5 of silex, and 1.9 of various substances.

Another contained 95.5 per cent. of vegetable matter. To these are added, in the appendix, the analysis of twenty specimens of peat from various parts of the state.

This substance is held in high estimation in New England. In the Farm Reports of Rhode Island, Mr. Phinney, addressing the State Geologist, says, "I know of no way in which you could render a more essential service to the public, more especially to farmers, than by enabling them to convert their unproductive and unsightly bogs into sources of wealth. I consider my peat grounds by far the most valuable part of my farm; more valuable than my wood lots for fuel, and more than double the value of an equal number of acres of my uplands, for the purposes of cultivation. In the first place, they are valuable as fuel. I have for twenty years resorted to my peat meadows for fuel. It gives a summer-like atmosphere, and lights a room better than a wood fire. The smoke from peat has no irritating effect upon the eyes; it does not, in the least degree, obstruct respiration, like the smoke of wood; and it has none of that drying, unpleasant effect of a coal fire. Peat, taken from land which has been many years drained, when dried, is nearly as heavy as oak wood, and bears about the same price in the market."*

Rhode Island Report, p. 247.

MASSACHUSETTS.

MANSFIELD ANTHRACITE MINES, FIFTEEN MILES NORTH-EAST OF

PROVIDENCE.

Dr. Jackson examined this coal for the sake of comparing it with that of Portsmouth.

The result of an analysis of a fair sample, was

It appears on this authority, that a small seam of anthracite was accidentally discovered in Mansfield, in 1835, in the process of sinking a well. In consequence of this, numerous persons obtained leases with the right of mining, on farms in this vicinity. The first vein was only eighteen inches thick, and was not worked, on account of being so small. Subsequently, the researches conducted under the direction of Dr. Jackson, determined the existence of five beds of anthracite, the maximum thickness being five feet; and their apparent linear extent was not less than one mile.

These beds abounded in coal plants, of which many species were collected by the geologist.

Several analyses were made to determine the character of this anthracite, which seems to differ from that of Portsmouth, chiefly in having a greater amount of carbon, viz., 87, 90, 92, 96, and 98 per cent., with a reduced quantity of ashes.

From want of experience in mining, the adventurers failed to derive an adequate benefit, and the mines were abandoned in 1838.

They were re-examined, in 1839, by Dr. Jackson. One seam was proved to be seven feet thick, and its quality was good,-yielding but six per cent. of ashes.

At another mine, where a shaft had been sunk to the depth of one hundred feet, a bed of coal was encountered, but thought to be inferior.

The nature of these seams seems to correspond, as regards irregularity, with most of those known in Rhode Island. Some days the miners raised ten tons of coal, while on others they obtained but little;-yet the geologist considers that the Mansfield coal mines are still capable of being worked to good profit, if pursued with skill and judgment.*

The usual coal plants occur imbedded in the shale and slate of the Mansfield district: but, Mr. Lyell observes, no traces of shells or corals have been discovered.

"In like manner, we find an absence of all fossils, except vegetable remains, in the anthracite coal district of Pennsylvania, and no fossils of any kind in the subjacent conglomerates and red sandstones."+ In the bituminous coal shales of Pennsylvania, we, however, find several genera and species

Dr. Jackson, on the Mansfield Coal Mines, in his Rhode Island Report, in 1840. + Quarterly Journal Geol. Soc., London, No. 1, p. 201.

Years.

of fossil shells, and the remains of fishes and shells in the sandstone beneath. At Blossburg, numerous shells occur in the coal and iron shales.*

Plumbago. In all the cases which we have cited, respecting the anthracites of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, it would appear, in accordance with the views of Professor Hitchcock, that there exists, in these regions, a gradual passage from anthracite to plumbago, or graphite. Whether this approach to graphite arises, according to the view of the learned professor, from the age of the enclosing rocks, or whether it be not rather the result of the obvious modifying influence of igneous operations, as we have suggested, we will not now discuss.

Import of Pennsylvania anthracite, and of American and Foreign bituminous coals, reduced to the common denomination of tons, from chaldrons, tons, and bushels, into the port of Boston. Note-there are considerable variations in the published statements of coal imported and consumed in Boston, which cannot be readily accounted for.

The retail chaldron of Boston is from 2500 lbs. to 2700 lbs. weight.

Virginia coal is sold in Boston, chiefly for glass-houses; and, otherwise, the quantity does not affect the retail trade. This coal was purchased, in 1845-8, for from $7.50 to $10.50 per chaldron.

Annual Importation of Virginia Coal into Boston.

Also abundant shells in the coal shale at the Portage Railroad. See Trans. Geol. Soc. Penn. p. 255.

Total of British and
Colonial tons.

Total consumption of

all kinds in tons.