Coal Mines "jjorled in France. t5l 



produaive eftablifliments*. The prefea has requefted, and 

 obtained permiffion, for this engineer to be fettled at Avey- 

 ron, charoed merely with the diretfion of this department. 



C. Saint-Thorent has already taken meafiircs to facilitate 

 the communications and to increafe the number of the high- 

 ways in this countrv, which is in want of fnfficient means of 

 circulation. The utility of rendering the Lot navigable for 

 boats above Cahors has not efcaped him. The indifference 

 which hns been (hown, and the delay which has taken 

 place in the execution of this projea, muft furprife all thofe 

 who are acquainted with the innnenfe colle6lions of excel- 

 lent coal which might be dug up on the banks of that river 

 towards Aubin, Livinhac, and Boufquet, and who confider 

 the valuable advantages which might refult from eOablifliing 

 an eafy mode of con\^yance for thefe coals to. the departments 

 of Lot, Lot and Garonne, and as far as Rochelle and Bour- 

 deaux, where the protlufts of thefe rich mines would banifti 

 the ufe of foreign coab:, or at lead render the introdudion 

 of them unnecellary. 



Department of the Mouths of the Rhone. 



The onlv part of this department (lo) which has hitherto 

 given rife to the extraction of coal is that of the fouth-eaft, 

 near to the department of Var. The coal mines are fituated 

 in particular in the environs of the communes of Gardanne, 

 Fureau, Tretz, Peynier, Belcodene, Saint-Savournin, Auriac, 

 Roquevaire, and Gemcnas. 



The greater part of thefe mines are badly worked, by the 

 proprietors of the ground, or by renters who enter into an en- 

 gagement wilh them for permiffion to dig in their lands. The 

 pits are never carried to a great depth : they arc abandoned 

 on the lead obllacle which occurs in the courfe of the labour, 

 which in general is not very fafe for the workmen. 



Thefe coal mines are found in ground covered by calca- 

 reous ftrata, which are even often mixed with carbonate of 

 lime. The coals are of a moderate quality, efpecially for the 

 purpofe of forges. They do not cake, and form a hollow fire. 

 It appears, however, that the iron mailers of the country find 

 means to employ them ; but it is only with difficulty. _ 



The quantity of the coal extraded in this country is efli- 



■• C. Blrtvitr h'lS Jifcovcrcd minfs of copper and of lead, new indications 

 of coil, and, in particular, a very rich and very abundant iion mine, d't- 

 fiill-il ci.'er an extent of more tli.iiVtwo chilionietcrs, in the neijj;hbourhood 

 of the coal mine of Senf^c, near Rhodez. This difcovcry will give rife to 

 the eftablifhmcnt of foundcrics, for which the coals will be employed. He 

 h^-; found alfo confiderabic depots of tuif in Icvcral parts of this depart- 



VoT.. XV'. No. cS. M mated 



