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I will now proceed to record my own investigations, and 
will take first the Shallow Seam of Cannock Chase, South 
Staffordshire. For the stratagraphical section and informa- 
tion concerning the seam I am indebted to Mr A. H. Baryarp, 
of Chase Town. 
SECTION OF THE SHALLOW SEAM. 
DESORIPTION - Ft. In. STRUCTURE 
“ Harders” or Top Bed. Dull layers, chiefly a mass 
Dull lustre, with occasional of microspores and macros- 
bright layers pieietonsiy LTS pores, with wood tissue in 
bright layers. 
“Upper Spire ... .. «| 9 2 A Carbonaceous argilla- 
ceous parting. 
“Bright Coal,” or middle Brown structerless hydro- 
bed. Bright lustre through- carbonaceous material, with 
out ... Cee Bane OTE occasional microspores and 
macrospores. 
“Tower Spire ... «+ -+| 0 22 Carbonaceous arenaceous 
‘ parting. 
“Best Coal,” or bottom Hydrocarbon, macrospores 
bed. Dull and bright lus- and microspores ; the two lat- 
trous layers ... -- «+ «| 4 3 ter chiefly in the dull layers. 
Underclay... s,s Argillaceous bed, with Stig- 
maria. 
This seam is divided by partings into three distinct beds of 
coal. In the top one, called ‘“‘ Hardens Bed,” two layers could 
be very clearly defined, a bright and a dull. In the latter 
minute specks were detected, somewhat resembling iron rust. 
By polishing a portion these specks were distinguished as 
macrospores, Figs. 1 and 2, anda microscopic action showed the 
spaces around and between them to be filled with countless 
numbers of microspores, Fig. 8. In the bright layer of the 
«‘ Hardens” spores were also detected, but were much less 
numerous, and there was also present, as the chief constituent, 
a brown structerless material to which T have given the name 
hydrocarbon. Vegetable tissue was also recognised. 
