130 



LECTURES 



the Appalachian. A third covers the greater portion of Missouri, while 

 a fourth occupies the greater portion of Michigan Just out ot the 

 limits of the United States, in New Brunswick and Nova bcotia there 

 is still a fifth, occupying, according to Mr. Lyell, an area ot 36,000 

 square miles. Besides these there are several others oi less extent. 



If we now compare the relative coal areas of the principal coal pro- 

 ducing countries, the superiority of our own will he still conspicuous. 

 The following diagrams represent these relative areas m a more m- 

 telligihle form than could he done hy mere figures. 



But if, on the other hand, we compare in the same manner the 

 relative annual production of the same countries, we will find the 

 order very different. 



Fig. n. 



Great Britain 



ArunxLctlFro diiettorv 

 3L500.0002S7^s 



Belgium 



4.960.000 

 Tbns 



Umted States 



4.400.OOO 

 Jons 



Erance 



4141.600 

 Tons 



It will be seen that the annual production of coal in Great Britain 

 is more than seven times that of the United States although her coal 

 area is so much less. It is estimated that even at this enormous rate 

 of production the coal fields of Great Britain will yet last for 500 

 vears. There is little danger, then, that ours will fail us shortly. 



Now industry, as the hasis of the organization of society, forms the 

 distinguishing feature of modern civilization. Coal is the very aliment 

 of industry. The material prosperity of any country may therefore 

 he tolerably accurately estimated by the amount of coal consumed. 



