286 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



fied shales which overlie the great mass of igenous rocks in the vicinity, 

 and part of these at least are not capped by volcanic overflows as Avas at 

 one time supposed to be the structure. The coal formations in this 

 area are of Tertiary age while the underlying igneous rocks are probably 

 Triassic. 



South of Sicamous Junction, and much further east than the areas 

 just described, is a deposit of coal recently discovered near Enderl^y on 

 the branch railway leading to Okanagan lake. The extent of this de- 

 posit has not yet been definitely ascertained, but the quality of the coal 

 as judged from the samples appears to be excellent and preparations are 

 now being made to prove its actual value. Should the quality prove 

 good the area will be important from its accessibility to the main line of 

 railway. 



About three miles south of Kamloops several thin seams of bitu- 

 minous coal are seen in the bank of a small creek, associated with shales 

 and aj)parently overlaid by volcanic rocks. In so far as developed these 

 seams are too small to be of much economic importance. They probably 

 represent the southern edge of a basin which extends across Kamloops 

 lake and along the lower part of the North Thompson but which has 

 never been tested by boring. About forty-five miles north, on this 

 stream a basin of similar rocks occurs in which are several seams of good 

 coal of the coking variety, but the distance from shipment and the pre- 

 sent observed thinness of the coals has hitherto prevented development. 



Among the largest of the lignitic coal deposits, which, as well as the 

 lignites proper, can be distinguished, among other things, by their lack 

 of coking properties, that on Hat creek near the Marble canon, about 

 fifteen miles north-west of Ashcroft on fthe main line of the Canadian 

 Pacific railway may be mentioned. Here, in a section measured by Dr. 

 Dawson, (1877-78) a bed of high-class fuel, which from the small per- 

 centage of water obtained on analysis may almost be classed as a true 

 coal, is found, the thickness of the bed exposed in the creek section being 

 68 feet, though the lower part could not be seen. This coal is also of 

 Tertiary age. 



Further north in the Peace Eiver district a number of coal out- 

 crops were observed by the early explorers. Some of these coats were 

 found to be lignitic but others Avere true coals of excellent quality. Other 

 deposits have since been discoA^ered so that in the district about the head 

 waters of the Peace river good coals will undoubtedly be readily available 

 when the opportunity ofl'ers for their successful development. 



Both lignite and true" coals are found in northern British Columbia 

 both south of the Skeena river and nortliAvard at intervals into the ter- 

 ritory of the Yukon. Of these probably the most important yet ex- 



