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Description of Mexican Coal. 



DESCRIPTION OF MEXICAN COAL. 



The mineral treasures now laid open to the skill and enter- 

 prise of British adventurers in South America are daily 

 exciting an increased interest throughout the kingdom : and 

 as connected with the powerful machinery that will be em- 

 ployed in these undertakings, the subject of fuel becomes one 

 of the greatest importance. The woods and forests, which 

 once clothed the sides of the Cordilleras in the vicinity of the 

 principal mines, have been, for many years, gradually diminish- 

 ing, and in many places have totally disappeared ; while- the 

 Mexican proprietors, with singular negligence, have forgotten 

 to form new plantations to supply that enormous quantity of 

 fuel necessary for the mines. 



The existence of coal on the mining provinces of Mexico has 

 hitherto been very doubtful. Humboldt, indeed, mentions its 

 having been found in New Mexico ; and that the formations of 

 basalt and amygdaloid on the estates of the Count de Regla 

 might lead to the belief that this substance also woulil pi'obably 

 be discovered ; a sujiposition likewise entertained by Mr. John 

 Taylor, whose practical and scientific knowledge of mining is 

 well known. These opinions are now completely verified ; as 

 among the mineral productions brought by Mr. Bullock from 

 Mexico are specimens of a coal analogous to jet, which he 

 procured while residing in the vicinity of Real del Monte. A 

 small piece of this substance, weighing sixteen grains, has been 

 analysed by Dr. Trail; and the res*ilt of his experiments, con- 



* Rcsine sulphureusc fctide. Stinkcndes Schwcfelharz of Wctrumb. 



taincd 



