22 
Spermaceti Whale, and is generally considered to be a product 
of disease. It is found floating on the sea near the coasts of 
various tropical countries, sometimes even as far north as the 
coast of Ireland, and sometimes in the whale fisheries of the 
southern hemisphere. It varies greatly in quality and value. 
Space will not allow of even a brief description of the many 
other materials derived from nature or of the very interesting 
products now artificially produced for use in this business. 
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19ru, 1893. 
THE ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF COAL, 
BY 
PROF. T. RUPERT JONES, F.RS., F.GS., &c. 
In illustration of his Lecture Prof. Jones exhibited a large 
number of diagrams, maps, &c., the latter showing the localities 
of the known and probable coal-measures ; the former, representa- 
tions of the plants out of which coal was formed; such as 
Lepidodendron, Sigmaria, and Calamites, some of them lent by 
the celebrated authority on the subject, Mr. Carruthers, copies of 
which have been incorporated into almost every text-book of 
Geology. 
Prof. Jones in calling attention to the various diagrams and 
pictures round the room, drew the attention of his audience to the 
representation of the cones of various trees which even down to 
their pores were traceable in coal ; also to those of shells of the 
common pupa and other organisms, and of a creature allied to 
the centipede, which were found in coal in enormous quantities, 
showing that similar forms of life existed during the 
carboniferous period as were found amongst us now. 
He also dwelt upon a diagram of a deposit which had not passed 
into the ultimate condition of coal, and in which the wooden 
structure of different trees and. tree ferns, together with their 
spores, were clearly distinguishable in the process of conversion. 
Speaking upon the varieties of coal, Professor Jones said that 
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