370 



GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



of the lignite becomes impaired at a greater distance from the mount- 

 ains, ill beds of the same age. 



The companies and proprietors of lignite-beds make constant inquiries 

 of the possibility of reducing or smelting iron ore with their coal. I 

 think that this could be done with lignite, producing good hard coke, 

 which then could be used as charcoal. But scarcely any of the lignites of 

 the West have been as yet so far deprived of water that their bulk may 

 be left compact by combustion. I know only of the Placiere anthracite, 

 (lignite,) and of the Chicosa coal, as having given such result; all the 

 other lignite gives dust-coke. In conliruiation of this assertion, and to 

 end this subject, 1 a])i)end a few analyses made from specimens selected 

 by mjself as representing the average value of the beds where they 

 were obtained. These analyses have the merit of being carefully made* 

 all with the same process and by the same chemist, and therefore offer 

 perfectly reliable points of comparison. They com])lete the table of 

 analyses ^iven by Mr. James T. Hodge in his excellent paper on the 

 Tertiary coal of tlie Rocky Mountains. Put in opposition, as they are 

 here, they present a reliable account of the essential compounds and of 

 the comparative value of* the more important deposits of our western 

 lignitic coal. It is to be regretted that no more care is given to the 

 preparation of documents of this kind. Comparative analyses should 

 be made by the same chemist, and the result published under a well- 

 known authority, to prevent frauds or impositions by the publication of 

 misrei)reseuted .or often false statements. 



Analyses of coals hy Mr. C. Leo Mees. 



Nnmbor of sample 



Specific gravity 



Moisture., 



Ash 



Volatile combustible matter 



Fixed cai-ljLOJi 



fin coal 



Swlplrurs reiiiaining in coke 



C forming per cent, of coke 



Fixed pa.s, cubic feet, per pound of coal. 



Chara<;ter of coke ., 



Color of ash ■ 



1 a. 

 1. .315 



8.10 



5. .'JS 



34 70 



51. C5 



0.91 

 0.22 

 0. 385 

 3. 920 



Pulv. 



Gray. 



1 c. 

 1.304 



6.10 



5.80 

 38. SO 

 49.30 



100. 00 100. 00 



0.917 

 0. 343 

 0. C23 

 3. 026 



Pulv. 



Gray. 



2. 

 1. 2303 



6.25 



9.55 



31.75 



52.45 



100. 00 



0.941 

 0. 4.39 

 0. 708 

 3.01 

 Pulv. 

 White. 



3. 

 1.26 



l.,15 



4.20 



37.05 



57 00 



100. 00 



0.851 

 0. 617 

 0. OOT 

 4.21 



(*) 

 Gray. 



4. 



1.288 



5.40 



3.50 



30.40 



54.70 



100.00 



0. 782 

 0.384 

 0.06 

 4.327 

 Pulv. 

 Tel'w. 



5. 

 1.273 



12.90 



2.00 



39.10 



46.00 



0.576 

 0. 302 

 0. 512 

 4.088 



Pulv. 



Fawn. 



6. 

 1.315 



0.90 

 20.20 

 23,50 

 55.40 



100.00 IGO.OO 



0.996 



0. 523 



0.688 



3.24 



Pulv. 



Gray. 



RE6ISTER OF SAMPLES. — 1 a, Carbon, Union Pacific Railroad ; 1 c, Carbon, Union Pacific Railroad. 

 2, Rock Springs, Union Pacific Railroad; 3, Fifteen niile« north of Trinidad, New Mexico ; 4, Canyon 

 City, Colorado Territ«ry ; 5, Colorado Springs, Gehrung ; 6, Raton Mouutaina, Uow Mexico. 



Columbus, Omo,>January 20-25, 1673. 



* HajyJ metallic. 



* By a young friend of mine, already an experienced chemist, Mr. Leo Meee, of Co- 

 Inmbus. The analyses were made in the laboratory and undfir the supervision of Pro- 

 fessor Wormly'. 



