1882.] on Some of the Dangerous Properties of Dusts. ' 113 



and above all, safety, this method of detaching coal appears to rank 

 before any other yet tried. Besides entirely avoiding the use and 

 production of flame or fire in the blasting of the coal, the operation 

 is conducted gradually and almost noiselessly, and the raising of dust 

 by the more or less violent concussions which attend the employment 

 of explosives in any form or manner, is avoided. 

 ' It is insisted upon by a great majority of those most competent to 

 judge, that the employment of explosives cannot be dispensed with in 

 the profitable working of coal mines. That the use of gunpowder in 

 the ordinary way, even with strict attention to all practicable pre- 

 cautions, is a most prolific source of accident, has long been recog- 

 nised. The development of safe methods of applying explosive 

 agents, or of simple and effective substitutes for them, is therefore 

 of such paramount importance in securing protection to the miner 

 against the dangers of fire-damp and of coal dust, that those who are 

 entrusted with the management of coal mines should spare no exer- 

 tions to test rigorously but fairly the merits of any proposals which 

 afford promise of success in this direction. 



[F. A. A.] 



Vol. X. (No, 75.) 



