32 



It yielded on analysis, per cent. — 



Coal 



Peroxide of iron .... 



Carbonic acid and moisture 

 Sulphur ...... 



Siliceous .matter .... 



The oxide of iron was originally a protoxide iron ore, but was 

 separated as a peroxide. 



At one time, the geological age of the Deep River coal for- 

 mation was a subject of dispute among geologists; some main- 

 taining that it belonged to the New Red, and others to the OoUiic 

 or Lias group. 



Through the researches of Prof. Emmons, State Geologist to 

 North Carolina, this question is likely to be finally settled ; and it 

 appears from his geological map, a copy of which he kindly 

 gave me, and from his fossils which I have inspected, that the 

 lower portion of this formation is Triassic or of the New Red 

 Sandstone group, and the Upper Liassic. 



Among the fossils discovered in the Deep River coal-bearing 

 rocks, are numerous teeth and bones of saurian reptiles, coprolites 

 of saurians and of fishes, and an abundance of scales of ganoid 

 fishes resembling Catopterus of Redfield. Several species of 

 Zamias, both the trunks and leaves, are also found. These will 

 all be described in Prof. Emmons's Report, and will be repre- 

 sented by wood-cuts. I understand that this Annual Report is 

 now in press at Raleigh, N. C. 



CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF A VARIETY OF AGALMATOLITE. 

 BY C. T. JACKSON. 



A remarkable rock, supposed until now to be soapstone or 

 talcose rock, was discovered a few years since on the borders of 

 the Deep River coal-field, and was quarried as soapstone, but 

 found unsuitable for lining stoves and furnaces, on account of its 

 ready exfoliation when heated. 



Lately, other uses have been found for this beautiful material, 

 for when ground it is a delicate white satin-like substance, and is 

 similar to China clay. It is ground and bolted, and sold in New 

 York at $40 per ton. I suppose it is employed to mix with 



