MINERALS OF THE CUMBERLAND COAL-FIELD. 221 



permit it to be mined on a small scale; and could a railway be con- 

 structed, it miglit be profitably employed in smelting tbe rich iron 

 - of the Londonderry mines. Should railway communication be 

 established between Cumberland and Halifax on the one side, and 

 New Brunswick on the other, this coal area 'would at once become 

 important. 



The following assays show the qualities of samples of Joggins and 

 Springhill coal examined by me ; but it must be observed that the 

 specimen from Springhill was from the outcrop of the seam, and 

 therefore probably injured by weathering. 



Assay of Joggins Coal from the Main Seam. 



The specimen is bright coal of uniform texture, with straight joints 

 containing films of iron pyrites and calcareous matter. 



Moisture ..... 2 - 5 



Volatile combustible matter . . 36'3 



Fixed carbon .... 56*0 



Reddish-gray ashes . . . 52 



1000 



Assay of Springhill Coal. 



The specimen is a compact coal, less bright than that of the Joggins, 

 and without films of pyrites, though it contains some sulphur intimately 

 mixed with it. 



Moisture 1*8 



Volatile combustible matter 28-4 



Fixed carbon 56 - 6 



Reddish ashes 13-2 



100-0 



From the character given of the Springhill coal by persons who 

 have used it, I should infer either that its quality has been overrated, * 

 or that my specimen is inferior to the average quality. 



The above assays show that the Joggins coal much resembles that 

 of Sydney, C. B., while the Springhill coal is more like that of Pictou. 

 See assays of these coals farther on. 



The structure of the Cumberland coal-field warrants the expectation 

 that the Springhill seam may be traced toward the coast of Chiegnecto 

 Hay, perhaps to the vicinity of Apple River, where a very small bed of 

 mm] has been discovered, and also in the opposite direction. Attempts 



