THE 



LONDON and EDINBURGH 



PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE 



AND 



JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 



[THIRD SERIES.] 



MARCH 1834. 



XXIX. On the probable future Extension of the Coalfields 

 at present worked. By the Rev. W. D. Conybeare, M.A., 

 F.R.S., fa 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 

 Gentlemen, 

 TN the application of geological science to the development 

 -^ of the mineral resources which constitute so material a part 

 of the wealth of nations, no subject can possibly claim a higher 

 statistical importance than the investigation of the relations of 

 our principal coal districts, with a view to point out the lines 

 in which we may look with the greatest probability for the 

 future profitable extension of their workings, when the immense 

 and increasing demand for that mineral shall threaten to ex- 

 haust our present supplies; a period which some apprehen- 

 sive geologists have predicted to be within a few centuries. Al- 

 though I myself incline to be more sanguine, still every one 

 must allow the discussion to be one of the very first ceconomical 

 interest. I have already in my former geological publications 

 often alluded to it; but I am persuaded that a short connected 

 view of what is already known may at the present moment be 

 useful, and may very probably tend to elicit -fresh information 

 in the points where it will thus be shown to be most important. 



I shall first hastily survey with this view the great coal-fields 

 of Durham and Yorkshire, on the eastern skirt of the great 

 chain of the Penine hills, which traverses, as a back-bone, our 

 northern counties. 1 shall then examine the detached fields 

 scattered through the plains of the midland counties to the 

 south of the expiration of that chain, and thus proceed to 

 those on its western skirt, extending thence to the borders of 



J hint Scries. Vol.4. No. 21. March 1834. Y 



