146 GEOLOGY. 



brated petroleum wells, in the Burmha dominioii^, 

 coal has been discovered. Indeed, it is supposed 

 that the oil from these springs possesses all the 

 properties of coal tar, and that nature elaborates 

 for the Burmhas in the bowels of the earth that 

 for which European nations are indebted to the 

 ingenuity of Lord Dundonald. A considerable 

 spring of petroleum exists at Colebrook Dale, in 

 England. At some distance below, coal is found 

 of an excellent quality. Cleveland, in his cele- 

 brated work on Mineralogy, supposes that naptha 

 and petroleum may very probably arise from the 

 decomposition of coal, etiected by subterraneous 

 fires, either volcanic, or produced by the combus- 

 tion of coal, or the decomposition of pyrites. 



I have perhaps fatigued you with my lucubra- 

 tions on coal. When I consider the importance 

 of this mineral — its auspicious influence on the 

 production of the great fabrics of art, and on the 

 comfort and support of the human race ; and 

 when i am convinced that nothing but observa- 

 tion and exertion are necessary to eifect the dis- 

 covery of this precious mineral, I cannot think my 

 time misspent in drawing your attention to it. 

 The state ought to offer a magnificent reward for 

 the discovery. 



