the different kinds of Coal. 71 



purposes. It is also employed by preference in several cases, 

 for soldering iron and steel, because this combustible forms a 

 natural vault, under which the. proper degree of heat may be 

 given to the metal, without exposing it to the wind of the bel- 

 lows. 



The coal with conglutinated coke, having a smaller propor- 

 tion of carbon in its composition, is also an excellent combustible 

 for developing a quick, and, at the same time, sustained, heat. 

 If it be less an object to obtain a strong heat, than to profit 

 completely by the flame, the coals with intumesced coke, having 

 a smaller proportion of carbon, may also be very advantageously 

 employed. 



The coal with pulverulent coke, having a small proportion of 

 carbon, is not adapted for developing a strong heat. It answers 

 still less for this purpose, if the contents in carbon be very small. 

 It is then the worst sort of coal, for the heat which it produces 

 is neither quick nor sustained. 



{To he continued.) 



On the substance called Fine Linen in the Sacred Writings. 

 By the Rev. David Scot, M. D., M, W. S., he. Commu- 

 nicated by the Author.* 



▼ V HEN I first turned my attention to the fine linen of the Sa- 

 cred Writings, I imagined I should soon come to a decided opi- 

 nion ; but, on inquiry, I found it involved in great obscurity, 

 chiefly arising from the vague terms which the ancients had 

 employed in describing it. 



The indistinct accounts which they have left us, will be some 

 excuse, it is hoped, for the imperfections of this essay, which 

 was undertaken at the suggestion of a venerable member of this 

 society, — Dr Baird, Principal of the University, and one of the 

 ministers of the city. 



Linen, as every one knows, is a manufacture from the fibres 

 of flax, and, in correct language, has the character of fine, when 

 the manufacture is of a superior quality. 



Among the Israelites, garments made of linen were worn by 



* Read before the Wernerian Society, lOth Mar. 1827. 



