256 "■ 'a general Vutu of ihi 



The coal mines of Bancs, Robillac, Merancs, Saint-Jean- 

 de-Valerifqne, fumifli at lead 900,000 niyriagrammcs. 



Several tlrata of coal are ftill worked in the environs of 

 Poiit-Saint-Efprit, and towards Laudun ; but it is inferior in 

 quality to the before-mentioned. Tliis is the niore unfortu- 

 nate, as the fituation of thefe mines on the banks of the 

 Rhone would render them of great importance on account 

 of the facility with ivhich they could be tranlpofted. 



If the coal mines in the environs of Alais poflefTed the 

 fame advantages in regard to tranfportation, the quantity dug 

 up might be increafed to ten times the prefent quantity, with- 

 out any fear of the mines being exhaulled in many years. 

 But they cannot be exported from the country, in confequence 

 of the dearncls of carriage. 



The mean price of the large coals at thefe mines is 7 cents 

 per myriagramme, and that of the fmall coals from 4 to 5 

 cents. 



It appears that a canal is now conftru&ing from Nimcs to 

 Saint-Gilles. The mineral riches and abundant refources in 

 fuel, which the mines in the neighbourhood of Alais would 

 furnifh for ages, are of fo much importance, that a commu- 

 nication ought to be opened with that country by means of 

 a counter-canal to fupply the place of the bed of the Gardon, 

 ■which is not navigable. 



In this department there are alfo fome ftrata of coal worked 

 in the environs of the commune of Vigan. At prefent the 

 working is not carried on with much a<^livlty ; fome of the 

 pits have even been abandoned in confequence ot law-fuits, 

 which are on the point of being decided. 



The common amount of the product of this canton may 

 be eftimated at lead at 2co,o:.o myriagrammes. 



Thefe mines cannot find nuich conlumption except by the 

 Herault; but this river is not navigable in the neighbour- 

 hood of Vigan, 



Dcparl7nent of La Tlautc- Garonne. 



In this department there are no coal mines worked. Some 

 foundings have been made in the environs of Touloufe, in 

 confequence of foinc fuppofed indications. Thefe foundings 

 have not confirmed the hopes which had been conceived. 



Fotlil wood in the Rate of very fine jet lias been found in 

 the Forelt of Montbrun towards JNlonteiquieu and Rieux. 

 Specimens of it may be feen in the collection of the Council 

 of Mines. 



The department of La Haute- Garonne may be fnpplied 



with 



