336 E. Hitchcock on the Coal of Bristol Co., and R. Island. 
In view of all these proofs I am led to the inference that this is 
a genuine coal field of the carboniferous series. And the tendency 
to a northeast and southwest direction in the beds, as well as the 
high dip, leads strongly to the conclusion, that this is only a de- 
tached portion of the great Appalachian Coal: Field, which 
stretches through the Middle States. 
In comparing the character of this deposit with those of Kuro- 
pean coal fields, I am led to regard it as very similar to the Up- 
per Culm Measures in Devonshire in England. ‘These are com- 
ness, being perpetually interrupted, coiled upon themselves, and 
repeated over again, forming an incredible number of anticlinal 
and synclinal lines.” (Amnsted.) A considerable number of beds 
of coal occur in these rocks which are several feet thick, and they 
are more or less extensively wrought. Only a few years ago, 
some of the ablest English geologists (De la Beche and others) 
contended that these rocks were not true coal measures, but con- 
siderably lower in the series. Yet I believe they are now uni- 
versally regarded as belonging to the carboniferous system, and on 
the same evidence as I have just adduced, viz.: the organic re- 
mains. The Devonshire beds seem to be more changed by meta- 
morphic action than those of the Bristol coal field, if we may 
judge from the fact, that the vegetable impressions are more dis- 
tinct here than in England. | 
In Brittany, Normandy, le Maine, and Anjou, in France, ac- 
cording to the French geologists, analogous rocks occur, contain- 
ing beds of anthracite more than three feet thick. And though 
referred by some to the Graywacke strata, they are at last taking 
their place in the true carboniferous system, as are also the al- 
thracite strata of the Alps, which have been regarded as newer 
than the coal formation. (See Quarterly Journal of Geology for 
August, 1851, p. 91.) 
The evidence, then, seems very strong, on which I base the 
conclusion that the Bristol and Rhode Island deposits, with vege 
tables remains, possess the age and characters of a true coal field 
as the carboniferous period of the geologists. And if it be ind 
so, much greater confidence of success may be entertained in the 
researches after coal, which have for some years been ing; 
than if we could assign no settled place to the rock, or that place 
were higher or léwer than the carboniferous system. * * . 
