Geology of Massachusetts. 43 
The lignite exists only in small quantities in the clay of the Vine- 
yard: and even if it formed extensive beds, it would not be of 
much importance; although it is used as fuel in some parts of 
Europe. 
Genuine bituminous coal, in sufficient quantity to be worked to 
advantage, has never been found, except in connection with a par- 
ticular series of rock, called the Coal Fermation. Such a formation — 
as long been supposed to exist along the Connecticut: extending 
across the whole of Massachusetts and Connecticut; and the strata 
have been bored in South Hadley, at least, in two jnstances, and 
once by a gentleman familiar with the real European coal formations. 
Several years ago, I myself delineated a coal formation, on a geolog- 
ical map of the Connecticut, published in the American Journal of 
Science. But further examination has brought me, unwillingly, to the 
conclusion, that no such formation exists along the Connecticut, and 
that the one which I then regarded as real coal measures, is in fact 
the new red sandstone, or its equivalent. In another part of this re- 
port, I shall give my reasons for this conclusion. But I would re- 
mark, that I do not feel so much confidence in this opinion, that I 
would urge the entire abandonment of all efforts to find coal: for the 
facts stated in respect to anthracite, will justify ~ opinion, that even 
if the rocks under consideration, are new red sandstone, bituminous 
coal may exist in it, in sufficient quantities to “e worth sepierings ° 
although in Europe it occurs in such rocks only in thin seams. 
tainly the coal found at South Hadley was of a superior quality. 
If, as I suppose, the rock under consideration be the new red 
sandstone, there is another fact that ought to be recollected, viz. that 
this rock, in other parts of the world, is associated with rock salt, 
salt springs, and gypsum. No trace of rock salt has been found 
along the Connecticut; and as yet only a small quantity of gypsum 
has been discovered. Professor Silliman found a little of this min- 
eral in the greenstone, associated with the sandstone in Deerfield, and 
Mr. Davis, Principal of the academy in Westfield, found the same 
in thin scales, between the layers of the shale, —— with the 
sandstone, on the banks of Westfield river in West 
These facts, especially the latter, are sufficient ———— ior 
the research after gypsum. And when we recollect that on account 
of the softness of this mineral, it is liable to be deeply worn away at 
the surface, we should by no means despair of its existence in the 
valley of the Connecticut. I have compared a collection of speci- 
mens from the new red sandstone, that contains the gypsum of Nova 
