94 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



for rendering these immense submarine coal stores 

 available. As to the difficulty of transport, Mr. Elliot 

 remarks that, according to his estimates, 'transport 

 would neither be more costly nor more laborious than 

 it has been in days gone by to convey coal the same 

 distance after it was brought to the surface inland.' 

 The enormous importance of the subject is shown by 

 the fact that * out of the minerals obtainable in Durham 

 alone, one-third,' Mr. Elliot tells us, ' may be held to 

 lie under the sea, and that all coalfields having a similar 

 inclination of strata, and bordering on the ocean, will 

 be similarly enlarged. This at once disposes,' he adds, 

 *of some of the fears expressed as to the duration of 

 our coal supply ; and while I am quite aware that these 

 theories may be challenged, they are not put forward 

 without due deliberation, and I am content to stake my 

 professional reputation on their practicability.' 



With regard to the future of this country, it appears 

 to me that little anxiety need be entertained. Apart 

 from the considerations I have urged, which seem to 

 indicate that our consumption cannot long increas e at 

 the same rate as at present, it seems not unreasonable to 

 anticipate that within the next few decades science will 

 find the means of economising our coals in more ways 

 than one. It does not indeed appear likely that any 

 form of fuel will ever take the place of coal ; but a 

 portion of the work now derived from the consumption 

 of coal may be expected to be derived in future years 

 from some of the other substances now coming into use. 

 It may be hoped, also, that science may suggest means 



