HISTORY OF PITCOAL* 1/3 



contain as mucli hidrogen as another, that yields but '57 

 or 'Go, 



This diminution of hidrogen has been carried so far in 

 some coals, that from a total loss of hidrogen they are pure 

 charcoal. 



But if hidrogen have been capable of withdrawing entire- Nitrogen a<!- 

 ly from certain coally masses ; whicli will not appear sur- stmuV^^^ "***'* 

 prising : wlien we recollect, that the carbonaceous principle 

 in them is very near that degree of condensation which does 

 not admit combination ; it is not the same with nitrogen. 

 This appears to be the last of the movable principles to 

 quit it. 



Near the monastery of Ilarbas, in the mountainous defile Natirc coak, 

 that separates the Asturias from the province of Leon, there 

 is a vein of coal, perfectly resembling that of Quiros in its 

 foliated texture and shining blackness. In this the carbo- 

 naceous principle is '03, while the hidrogen is absolutely 0. 

 In fact it is a true native coak, that burns without any bitu- 

 minous or sulphurous smell, and leaves '0/ of white ashes. 



If, notwithstundiiig all its characters combined, it can be S.iU«mtejii» 

 supposed, that this was never the base of a bitumen, I ^"'•^^^^^ 

 would urge the following experiment. Let it be heated with 

 potash, and prussic lixivium will be obtained from it. I'he 

 nitrogen, though the sole remain of the principles that bave 

 disappeared, here assists the chemist to trace its origin. It 

 iiicontestably indicates, that it has belonged to that organic 

 matter, which the hand of time has decomposed, to reduce 

 to pitcoah ^ 



Jet, 



It is said that trunks of tret^ are found in collections, Trunk? ©ftr««« 

 ene extremity of which is converted into iet, while tlie otiier ^'^^^ j^h fe*i^ 

 is still ligneous. If it be so, the analysis of such specimens 

 would be exremely interesting. 



There is a great deal of difference in jets. A jet from /at? difl^f, 

 Almagra in Murcia gave '46 of charcoal without even soft- 

 ening: anothiifr, wrought into buttons, i^iielted like a re.si«, 

 and yielded ',52. 



The following resultii to a certain point assimilate jet v^th 

 <?ur vegetables. 



