Trans. N. Y. Ac. Sci. io Dec. 19, 



purposes of fuel, and is that represented in the analysis of Mr. Britton. 

 Such analysis, however, can throw but little light on the oiigin of the 

 substance ; organic acid seems to be further indicated by the red ash 

 derived from the coal-like substance (Analysis No. 3), the white ash of 

 the enclosing peat showing the residue of silica and alumina insoluble 

 in the humous acids. 



Further, the physical characteristics of the substance described by 

 Prof. Fairchild, its brittle jelly-like character while moist, and extreme 

 shrinkage on diying to bright coal-like brittle flakes, are identical with 

 those of apocrenic, humic and other organic acids. These considera- 

 tions render it highly probable that this substance has been produced 

 within the peat at Scranton merely by the leaching out of the upper 

 portions of the bog and the concentration of soluble salts of organic 

 acids, in part crenates, along certain planes and in small cavities 

 within the denser part of the peat toward the bottom of the bog. 

 There is as yet no evidence, however, that these facts have any impor- 

 tant connection with the formation of bituminous coal, much less with 

 that of anthracite, represented by these specimens. A third method 

 of the examination of peat is founded upon the determination of its 

 proximate constituents or compounds, both thrse of amorphous char- 

 acter and various organic acids. From insufficient knowledge of the 

 exact constitution and nature of these acids, especially in their various 

 hydrated forms, the method is very difficult and has thus far had but 

 limited application. Only such a mode of examination can throw light 

 upon the character of the bright jelly-like substance in the Scranton 

 peat. 



Some statements by Prof. Fairchild, however, give a clue to its 

 identity. He has mentioned a rapid change of color in specimens of 

 the peat taken from a depth of thirteen feet, the yellowish-brown color 

 of the surface becoming blackish brown in a few moments while being 

 handled. This seems to indicate not the trifling change produced by 

 drying, but the characteristic reaction of crenic acid, well known to 

 chemists by its immediate oxidation and partial conversion into apocre- 

 nic acid. This affects not only the acid but its ordinary salts, e. g., 

 those of iron, and has been observed both in its artificial product in the 

 laboratory, and in nature, in the deposit cf iron crenate beneath peat 

 bogs and from the waters of many springs. 



Prof. D. S. Martin called attention to the resemblance of the lighter 

 colored and solid variety of this peat to the darker variety of the 

 " turba" of Brazil. In the latter he had also observed thin seams of 

 a black bituminous substance looking much like that which occurs in 

 this peat. 



The subject was further discussed by Prof. Hubbard and Mr. Parsons. 



