12 MINERALS OF TASMANIA. 
Mr. T. Bateman, the secretary of the Company, has kindly placed 
specimens of the substance at my disposal, as well as allowing me 
the privilege of making extracts from several interesting reports 
thereon. The substance is of a very compact nature, with a distinct 
and broad conchoidal fracture in all positions, shining intensely black, 
with a pitch-like appearance; brittle and sectile, with a dull black 
streak. It is easily ignited, burning with a clear flame, and gives 
off a strong odour. It has been critically examined, and careful 
analysis made by several well-known authorities, all of which tend to 
prove that, if not exactly identical with the typical form of Cannel 
Coal, it is at least very closely allied to it both physically and 
chemically. Mr. J. Cosmo Newberry, in a report upon its chemical 
composition, states that, ‘“‘ Upon analysis it gave the following 
results :— 
Water at 212°), ccscswecsssnteoses Basak trace. 
Wolatle matter <; 2. <c.5---«sn- Sheep 54°20 per cent. 
Bixed carbOM <..s-..osacseereoserespesse 39°75 = 
CLS! eR re: ee seer ences 6°05 .. 
Total ON te tesesces ss.) £00:007 
Mr. W. F. Ward, Government Analyst, under date 29th Sept., 
1892, gives the following result of an examination: “The Cannel 
Coal received from you has the following ultimate composition :— 
Per cent. 
Carboy +s .ieciesteecess enn sma eave teadarrecee reese 74:0 
HAV OTOSPN) oca52 son» seetetceee sense eon aaeeeeeeaeeece fhe) 
Oxyeen and Nitrogen 2.2 i ccccesseacnet=esen ise ase) (wes 
WIP MUPS, \ckksonhemshecheeeerer ees Sscbembe ass ccsseebes 0°8 
ASIN: tcacnclsesaensuvneatothwte cubedebaai ote eenassbiee 4°2 
MPOISTORE (ots «sels cueeesepesiee seach ecb enenoe ences esse 0°4 
Total eetceseeesece eeee 100 0 
The proximate composition is :— 
Bixed (carbOns.25:, se<sastaccsesepe. 44°32 Coke, 48°5 
PAGE Beir. bh neweenis Hvchioncaeeeee 4°2§ per cent. 
Gases, &c. lost at red heat ...... 51:1 
WROISLUUD 220. cs0se. 1oeser sec ceasseosete 0:4 
aPOtaL as a teteen-cecteeteee 100°0 
The sulphur is included in the ‘coke’ and ‘ gases;’ the coke 
is firm and lustrous, and the gas would be of great value for 
enriching that of poorer coal. The ultimate composition is almost 
identical with that of ‘Grahamite,’ which is described by Dana 
as ‘an oxygenated and inspissated petroleum, found in shrinkage 
fissures in sandstone,’ but the physical characters of the two 
substances are different.—The specific gravity of the sample is 1+13.” 
