MODE IV. LIGNITE. 



Aspect 4. Columnar coal. 



As the German kind belongs to anthracite, so 

 it is probable that the Scotish is of the same de- 

 scription ; the latter, however, presents the velvety 

 appearance of the charcoal plates in common coal ; 

 but is so deeply impregnated with oxyd of iron, 

 that it is partly of a brown, partly of a metallic 

 lustre ; which may not only be the cause that it 

 does not flame, but is probably the original source 

 of its columnar form, which iron often affects ; and 

 as the power and predominance of that metal are 

 very great, it often manifests its presence, by in- 

 ducing almost any other substance to assume its 

 tendencies. 



MODE IV. LIGNITE. 



This name has been assigned, with great pro- Name, 

 priety, by Brongniart to the substance which 

 Werner has called brown coal, with his usual at- 

 tachment to colours, which of all denominations 

 are the most vague and illusory. Some who 

 prefer Greek etymons might call it xylite, de- 

 rived, in like manner, from wood; but the Latin 

 language is equally classical with the Greek, and 



