324 



It may here be observed, that the coal of this lower bed, universally, 

 has more than usual compactness and purity, and is equal to the best 

 bituminous coal of Pennsylvania. 



COAL OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY. 



The coal again makes its appearance at the border of the basin, near 

 the County Seat of Shiawassee County, where it crops out between 

 thick and extensive layers of sandstone, in the banks of the small creek 

 enterinar Shiawassee River. The coal has here a thickness of from three 

 and a half to four feet, and is accompanied by shale, the entire thick- 

 ness of which is not ascertained. This coal is very eligibly situated for 

 mining. It is of excellent quality, and the dip is so slight, that but lit- 

 tle depth of excavation will be required. This is the only locality in 

 the State, where coal, to much extent, has been raised for economical 

 use. Both the coal, and associated shale, are constantly employed to 

 great advantage, at the steam miU of Mr. McArthur, in Corunna, as 

 well as by neighboring smiths. 



From an area of eight by nine feet, Mr. McA. raised four hundred 

 and sixty bushels of coal aud shale, and he informs me that it can be 

 sold at the county seat for ten cents per bushel. 



The underlying limerock stratum makes an outcrop about a mile 

 south-west from this point, in a bed of probably many acres in extent. 



Shales of Flint River. — The coal bed and its accompanying shale 

 may be traced still further east, to the Flint River, in Genesee county. 

 Here the former probably has nearly thinned out, as only loose masses 

 are found, in the bed of the river. The associated black shale and 

 elate may be observed in the river banks, (town eight north, five west,) 

 where it attains a thickness of sixteen feet, and is underlaid by the 

 sand rock. 



The coal of the Shiawassee and Flint Rivers, appears to occupy the 

 extreme edge of the coal basin, which here thins out into a wedge form, 

 narrowing gradually until it terminates in a mere point, probably as far 

 easterly as Lapeer coitiity. The inclination of the strata is north-westr 

 erly, to an amount which would soon carry the coal beneath the surface, 

 but appearances seem to warrant the conclusion, that at this point a 

 krge part of the rocks of the coal measures, continued northerly, have 

 been entirely removed. 



