VERMILION COUNTY. 257 



there is no such seam as the "third seam," reported from the "saltworks" borings; or, if 

 any seam exists at or near the locality and depth described, it is the thin "second seam " (2) 

 I have spoken of, thickened up and become more distant from the main seam in the six miles 

 intervening distance. At one place (just at the low water level of the Vermilion) on the 

 north (left) bank of the "Salt Fork" of the Vermilion, about two miles above Danville, that 

 " second seam " shows a well defined stratum of " block " or " cannel " coal. I think I called 

 your attention to this part of this seam. 



The main defect of the Danville coal is its friability and tendency to disintegrate or "slack" 

 on exposure. It is a strong steam coal, and answers a very good purpose for all domestic 

 uses. Yours truly, 



JOSEPH KIRKLAND. 



Of analyses of coal from different openings in this seam, made some years 

 ago. and published in 1858 by Dr. Norwood, in his Report on Illinois Coals, I 

 give the following summary : 



Specific gravity. 1.213 to 1.2833 



Average..... 1.2563 



Moisture 3.4 to 8.6 



Average 7.13 



Volatile gases 40.1 to 42.3 



Average 41.85 



Carbon in coke. 40.5 to 48.96 



Average 45.96 



Carbon in coal 49.8 to 55.5 



Average 51.576 



Ash 2 to 16 



Average 7.25 



Gray, bluish gray, and grayish white 



The principal openings from which the coal of this seam is now shipped, are 

 the drifts of Messrs. Chandler &Donlon, and Kirkland Bros., on the bank of 

 the Big Vermilion, opposite Danville, and the several shafts along the T. W. 

 & W. B. R., as far west as Catlin. The mines of the Carbon Coal company* 

 about two miles above Danville, along the river, were formerly extensively 

 worked, and shipped their coal by a long branch track; but they are now de- 

 serted. 



All the openings along the North Fork and its branches are on this seam, the 

 lower seam being in all cases, apparently, thin and unprofitable. The last out- 

 crop seen in ascending this fork is in the banks above Baldwin's old mill, in 

 section 31, township 20 north, range 11 west, where the lower seam shows at 

 the top of the bluff, bul is apparently not worth working. It is worked, how- 

 ever, with a thickness of about four feet, at Leonard's mine, below the city, the 

 last show of either seam in going eastward. 



(2) The solution of this problem is found in my remarks upon the two seams on the pre- 

 vious pages. F. H. B. 

 33 



