399 



the strata are horizontal. This, with the convergence of the lines 

 of dip, at both extremities of the coal-field, indicates that the coal 

 is, in the usual form, of a long trough-shaped basin ; but thus far, 

 the Southern outcrop of the coal has not been discovered. In- 

 deed, the character of the stratification is such that it may be 

 long before the coal is found on the south-eastern side of the 

 basin, since the general direction of the strata in that direction, 

 so far as they have been traced, is horizontal with numerous 

 flexures, or bends, so that, after nearing the surface, it may 

 plunge again to a depth. 



On analyzing the coal, raised by the Artesian auger, at Egypt 

 plantation, it was found that the pure coal (without regarding the 

 earthy matters mixed with the borings, or the ashes of the coal) 

 contained 41.4 per cent, of gas-making bitumen, and 58.6 per 

 cent of solid carbon, or coke. It is not probable that there will 

 be more than about 5 per cent, of ashes in the solid coal. When 

 shafts are sunk, and gangways opened, in this coal-field, there 

 can be no doubt that good gas coal will be obtained in abundance. 

 The bed, perforated by the auger, is five feet in thickness ; and 

 the beds opened in the neighborhood, at the Farmville locality, 

 deducting a thin layer of parting shale, are seven feet thick. We 

 have yet to wait for the opening of slack-water navigation of Deep 

 river, before this coal can be brought to market. This, it is 

 hoped, will be done early next spring. 



Several coal companies are making preparations to work these 

 mines, and the coal has been proved to be good, by trial at the 

 Williamsburg Gas Works, in New York. 



Dr. Jackson presented to the Society a copy of his Report on 

 the Deep river Coal Mines, to which he referred for detailed de- 

 scriptions of each locality. He also presented a copy of his 

 Report on the North Carolina Copper Mines. 



II. Specimens of the black oxide of copper, from the newly 

 opened mines of Polk county, Tennessee, were also exhibited, 

 and the mines were described. 



These singular deposits of black copper ore, occur in three 

 large veins, included mostly between the strata of mica-slate 

 rocks, having a north-easterly and south-westerly direction. 



The black oxide of copper varies in width from a foot to 



