50 On the Coal-field of Sutherland. 



cordant strata. On the contrary, being of the character of 

 general conglomerates, they prove that these secondary strata 

 have been formed from the ruins, at least in a certain degree, 

 of previous secondary strata of a similar nature. To what 

 important conclusions this fact may lead respecting the nature 

 of former states of the globe, it is unnecessary to suggest ; since 

 it is evident that, like some other analogous facts, they prove 

 a series of revolutions far more complicated than geologists 

 in general have as yet thought fit to admit. 



I shall now subjoin an account of the working of the coal 

 at Brora ; being indebted to the Marchioness of Staftbrd for 

 the facts on which it is founded. 



The first coal-pit was sunk and wrought at this place by 

 Jane, Countess of Sutherland, in 1598 ; since which time the 

 workings have been occasionally carried on, but^ till lately, 

 with no great energy. The first working was made near the 

 sea-shore ; and it is probable, from the thinness of the stratum, 

 and the pyritical nature of the coal, that it was the uppermost 

 bed of this part of the field, and that which at different times 

 brought discredit on the nature of the whole produce. That 

 bed crops out to the southward of the present high road, and 

 near the old salt pans ; and it appears also to be found at 

 Strathsteven, westward of this place. 



It is unnecessary to trace the intermediate history of this 

 work throughout to the present time ; but, forty years ago, a 

 company from Portsoy undertook to work it, and found a 

 second stratum three feet thick, of a better quality, which 

 was wrought by a pit forty feet deep. The outburst of that 

 coal is now to be seen on the banks of the river, near the 

 present pit. 



This last attempt was commenced in 1813, in which year 

 the sinking of the engine and draw-pits, now in use, was com- 

 pleted. The stratum which is wrought, is the third in the 

 order of succession downwards, and lies, at the pit, about two 

 hundred and forty feet beneath the surface. The dip is to the 

 south-east, and the angle, in the miners' phrase, one in four. 

 The thickness of the stratum varies from three to four feet. 

 It appears that the workings have extended about seven hun- 

 dred yards forward, on the rise of the stratum ; and that about 

 ten acres have been excavated. It is found, moreover, that a 



