On the Rhode-Island Coal. 223 



present themselves first, and, immediately under the 

 sand-stone, coal is discovered; in some places, even 

 within six feet of the surface. 



The position of the bed is here, as is generally the 

 case in the independent coal formation, not horizontal 

 or vertical, but forming an angle of about seventy-five, 

 and the veins of coal appear to be separated from 

 each other, by various coloured sand- stones, which 

 interpose between the seams. Though all these sub- 

 stances belong to what is called the transition rocks, 

 yet fine specimens of indurated talc, and green asbes- 

 tus, in capillary crystals, are also discovered, inter- 

 spersed through the shale, and immediately covering 

 the coal ; substances which it is difficult to account for, 

 as they have been generally supposed peculiar to prima- 

 tive rocks. 



The veins of coal run nearly in the direction of east 

 and west, and the stratum which is worked at present 

 appears to be about fourteen feet wide ; so little change 

 has as yet taken place in the course of the vein, that 

 there is every appearance of its improving, as they pro- 

 ceed farther from the surface. With only fifteen 

 workmen, they can raise, at present, from ten to twelve 

 chaldron of coal per day, besides keeping the mine free 

 from water, from which they suffer little inconvenience. 



The character of Rhode- Island coal is as follows : 



Its colour is black, or greyish-black, with a metallic 

 lustre ; it soils the fingers ; its fracture is slaty, but its 



