GEOLOGY COAL FROM CAPE FLATTERY AND SANTA CLAEA. 67 



It is regarded as very similar in its character to that of Bellingham bay, and commands about 

 the same price. 



COAL FROM CAPE FLATTERY. 



This coal I have marked as coming from Cape Flattery, that being the nearest point to the 

 locality from which it is derived, whose position is generally known. It is, in fact, obtained 

 some 25 miles lower down on the coast. I owe to the kindness of Lieut. Trowbridge, U. S. A., 

 the specimens which I have of this coal, and also whatever information I possess in reference to 

 its geological position. It occurs associated with similar shales and sandstones to those which 

 enclose the coal of Bellingham bay, and is doubtless of the same age. From what I have been 

 able to learn of the geology of this part of the coast, it seems probable that the tertiary strata 

 of Bellingham bay extend continuously, or with but local interruptions, to the Columbia. 



The character of the Cape Flattery coal is similar in all respects to that of Coose bay, and 

 hand specimens from the two localities are undistinguishable. Its chemical composition is also 

 nearly identical, and whatever has been said of the character or value of the former is equally 

 applicable to the latter. Its chemical composition is as follows : 



Fixed carbon 46.40 



Volatile matter 50.97 



Ashes 2.63 



100.00 



COAL FROM SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA. 



This coal, or lignite, occurs 12 miles back from Santa Clara, and is said to form a stratum 3 

 feet in thickness, and is overlaid by a sandstone containing marine shells. In the small speci- 

 mens of th is rock which were given me by Lieut. Trowbridge, but a single species of fossil shell 

 is distinguishable, though this is represented by considerable numbers. This shell is that of a 

 gasteropodous mollusc, and a type of a new genus, described by Mr. Conrad under the name of 

 Scliizopyga, and figured in this report, plate 1, fig. 1. The coal, or rather lignite, from this 

 locality exhibits some variety in appearance and purity ; some of it showing very plainly the 

 structure of the wood from which it has been formed, while other portions resemble a consoli- 

 dated carbonaceous mud, and contain a large proportion of earthy matter. No analysis has 

 been made of it ; but while the better portions closely resemble the coal of Coose hay, it is 

 evident that, as a whole, it is decidedly inferior as a fuel to the coal from that locality. 



Aside from the coals I have mentioned, there are annually sold in the San Francisco market 

 many cargoes from Chile, Australia, and the eastern United States. Of these, the anthracite and 

 semi-bituminous coals from the eastern States are much preferred, and always command a higher 

 price. The price of anthracite coal during my stay in the city varied from $37 to $40 per ton, 

 while that from Chile and Australia ranged from $25 to $27. 



The Chilean coal, of which I saw large quantities, was all derived from the Lota mine ; of 

 which the coal has been carefully examined, and an analysis published (in the report of the Naval 

 Astronomical Expedition, vol. II, page 105,) by Professor J. L. Smith. I was much interested 

 in noting the very evident similarity which exists between the Chilean coal and that of the 

 northwestern coast. It apparently belongs to the same geological epoch, and indicates the 



