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REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF METALLURGY. 263 



Among the curiosities of the collection may be mentioned pieces of 

 iridescent or "peacock" coal, so called on account of its brilliant me- 

 tallic colors. Anthracite, semi-anthracite and semi-bituminous coals of 

 this character are represented; the handsomest specimens being from 

 the lioss vein of the Ked Ash Coal Company of Wilkes Barre. 



As an evidence that the miner is warmly receptive to art, and as an 

 illustration of the adaptability of anthracite coal to such purposes, sev- 

 eral coal ornaments were obtained : (1) a lady's slipper, (2) a miner's 

 brogan, (3) a table caster with bottles, and other articles made by the 

 artistic miner in his leisure moments. The Urst is a very beautiful speci- 

 men, and is not only artistic but also highly realistic. These were pre- 

 sented by Mr. P. W. Sheafer and Maj. Heber S. Thompson, of Pottsville. 

 The tirst is matle of coal from Kohinoor colliery, the second from one of the 

 mines on the (xirard estate, and the third from the Ellangowan colliery. 

 Major Thompson also donated two cubes of anthracite coal. One is a 

 4incli cube, and the coal was mined from the top split of the mammoth 

 bed in the Hammond colliery. It contains 64 cubic inches and weighs 

 '6^1 pounds, equivalent to 25743^3 pounds, or 1.149 tons, per cubic yard. 

 The second is a 10-inch cube, and is from the mammoth bed (white ash), 

 Kehley's Kun colliery. 



The number of fossil plants in the collection is small and restricted 

 to well-known varieties, such as stigmaria, sigdlaria, lepidodendra, 

 ulodendra, and calaraites. Impressions of fern-leaves in both lire clay 

 and slate should also be noted. One of them, with a silvered matrix, 

 presented by Mr. P.W. Sheafer, is unusual. An exami)le of uloden- 

 drou is very pronounced in its bars, a feature which has given rise to 

 the name of " washboaid slate" in use by the miners. 



The corrosive efiect of mine water upon metals is illustrated by 

 several bolts from a large tubular iron tank used to hoist water from 

 mines. The bolts, originally § of an inch in diameter, have been 

 eaten away to a mere shred. A miuiug pick taken from an abandoned 

 colliery shows the effect of mine water upon iron and steel combined, 

 the iron has been eaten away to a large extent while the steel is only 

 slightly attacked. 



The objects of geological interest are supplemented by the various 

 kinds of implements used by the miner, consisting of his tools, lamps, 

 clothing, and foot-wear, as well as utensils that pertain to his domestic 

 economy and are essential to his i)ersonal comfort while at work. This 

 list embraces the pick, drill, needle, blasting-barrel, cartridges, and all 

 accessories used in the processes of cutting and blasting coal ; lamps 

 which burn with a naked flame for the mine officials, miners, drivers, 

 and mules ; and safety lamps of various patterns, including the Clanny, 

 Davy, and Stephenson. The safety lamps were presented by Messrs. 

 J. W. Queen & Co., of Philadelphia, who also contributed samples of 

 brattice cloth, an air-tight fabric of coarse texture used in ventilat- 

 ing mines. The miner's outfit is further illustrated by an industrial ex- 



