362 STAGES IN THE PRODUCTION OF COAL. 



ceased to exist after the deposition of the Coal formatioi?, 

 yet are they connected with modern vegetables by common 

 principles of structure, and by details of organization, which 

 show them all to be parts of One grand, and consistent, and 

 harmonious Design. 



We may end our account of the Plants to which we have 

 traced the origin of Coal, with a summary view of the 

 various Natural changes, and processes in Art and Industry, 

 through which we can follow the progress of this curious 

 and most important vegetable production. 



Few persons are aware of the remote and wonderful 

 Events in the economy of our Planet, and of the compli- 

 cated applications of human Industry and Science, which 

 are involved in the production of the Coal that supplies with 

 fuel the Metropolis of England. The most early stage to 

 which we can carry back its origin, was among the 

 swamps and forests of the primeval earth, where it flou- 

 rished in the form of gigantic Calamites, and stately Lepi- 

 dodendra, and Sigillarias. From their native bed, these 

 plants were torn away, by the storms and inundations of a 

 hot and humid climate, and transported in some adjacent 

 Lake, or Estuary, or Sea. Here they floated on the 

 waters, until they sank saturated to the bottom, and being 

 buried in the detritus of adjacent lands, became transferred 

 to a new estate among the members of the mineral king- 

 dom. A long interment followed, during which a course 

 of Chemical changes, and new combinations of their vege- 

 table elements, have converted them to the mineral condi- 

 tion of Coal. By the elevating force of subterranean Fires, 

 these beds of Coal have been uplifted from beneath the 

 waters, to a new position in the hills and mountains, where 

 they are accessible to the industry of man. From this 

 fourth stage in its adventures, our Coal has again been 

 moved by the labours of the miner, assisted by the Arts 

 and Sciences, that rave co-operated to produce the Steam 

 Engine and the Safety Lamp. Returned once more to the 



