428 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. X. 



ft. in. 

 Lead grey shale 25 



Goal 1 6 



Soft grey and yellowish-grey shaly sandstone 13 



Carbonaceous shale, coaly streaks 2 3 



Coal (good and sound throughout) 4 6 



Dark grey shale and shaly clay 7 



Coal 1 



Carbonaceous shale 1 



Coal 8 



Soft shale and clay 8 



Goal and carbonaceous shale (to water) 1 6 



The seams dip westward at a very lii>-ht and constant angle. 

 The seam four feet six inches in thickness probably represents 

 the Main Seam of the Belly River. 



Some general facts regarding the composition of the coal of 

 this horizon in the Cretaceous may be given. The analysis by 

 Prof. Haanel quoted in my report on the Geology and Resources 

 of the 49th Parallel (p. 179, No. Ill, in table) is of coal from 

 this seam, but probably from that part of the outcrop near the 

 mouth of the St. Mary River. The same remark applies to a 

 specimen which was analysed by Dr. Harrington. (Report of 

 Progress, 1877-78, 49 C.) Prof. Haanel's analysis shows 6.69 

 per cent, of moisture and 6.36 per cent. ash. Dr. Harrington's 

 specimen contained 5.79 per cent, water and 2.05 ash. A speci- 

 men from Mr. Sheran's mine, collected and examined by myself, 

 yielded the following result : — 



Water 6.52 



Volatile combustible matter 31 .03 



Fixed carbon 56.54 



Ash 5.91 



100.00 



The coal is compact, does not easily break up by handling or 

 exposure, and is in every respect a very excellent fuel, but does 

 not yield a coherent coke. 



In correspondence with the increased distance from the moun- 

 tains of the outcrop of the same seam on the Bow River, and 

 probable inferior degree of alteration to wliich it has been sub- 

 jected, the coal is there found to contain more water, approximat- 

 ing in this respect to some of the Souris River lignites. From 

 these, however, it still differs in its more compact texture and 

 resistance to weathering and the regular vertical cleat or jointage 



