91 NAT URAL HISTORY 



can determine its value, and give security in the 

 investment of capital. 



Any other mineral sinks into comparative insig- 

 nificance if valued with coal. The whole history of 

 this valuable substance is an argument in favor of 

 the study of Natural History. In searching for it, 

 millions of dollars have been thrown away in bor- 

 ing rocks in which a pound of it could never be 

 found. In fact, the substance which has misled the 

 majority, is itself a positive proof that no coal is to 

 be expected. 



By the curious, and I might say wonderful revela- 

 tions of Geology, vast beds of this substance have 

 been discovered where no accidental discovery 

 could ever be made. And when discovered, their 

 productiveness and method of working are deter- 

 mined by the principles established by this same de- 

 partment of science. This is of yearly occurrence. 

 No country in the world is richer than ours in this 

 and nearly all other valuable minerals. These con- 

 stitute no small part of our national wealth. And 

 they are destined yearly to become more important 

 because of the increasing demand, the discovery of 



