220 FOSSIL COAL PLANTS. 
and it will be still many years before we can trace a more perfect picture. To achieve 
such a result, it is necessary that the geologists and the botanists should unite their 
efforts; in order that none of the objects, requisite to enlighten a subject so difficult, 
should be neglected.” 
It rarely happens that the persons who are practically employed in coal mines regard 
the fossil flora by which they are surrounded, as in a museum, with sufficient interest to 
take adequate note of the natural objects which, from time to time, present themselves. 
In fact they are, from obvious circumstances, unfitted for observation; or rather, for 
noting, with that degree of precision that commends itself to our confidence. 
Upon the geologists, but more especially upon those among them who direct the ex- 
plorations of our mines, the charge mainly devolves of observing and recording the phe- 
nomena of fossil vegetation, as they are brought to view from the depths and darkness of 
the earth. Upon these instructed observers, rests the interesting duty of communicating 
intelligence respecting those long buried productions of nature, which they have assisted 
in developing, on a magnificent scale, within the galleries and the recesses of the mine. 
However elaborately these specimens may, at first, be displayed upon the walls of our 
coal veins, those who are practically engaged there, well know how soon those relics are 
defaced or despoiled of their freshness and beauty, by the operations which are there 
incessantly carried on by the miner and his assistants. Sensible of this, and with a view 
to the preservation, upon paper at least, of the magnificent memorials which I am about 
to describe, I have made it a special object, during upwards of a year, to trace out on the 
most extended scale that the works permitted; to make admeasurements; to preserve 
specimens; and to take drawings, from day to day, as the excavations proceeded and the 
fossils were laid bare, of whatever details might afford instruction relative to the character 
of this ancient flora. The result of this labour is now before the present meeting. 
The coal of the bed in question is in the transition state, often denominated semi- 
bituminous: that is to say, it contains upwards of sixteen per cent. of volatile matter.* 
Its position is highly inclined; dipping not less than seventy degrees to the north. Se- 
veral other smaller coal seams occur in this locality, (the Third or Sharp Mountain,) 
alternating with a countless series of conglomerates, grits, sandstones, argillaceous shales, 
and fire clay: all inclining northward, at from seventy to seventy-nine degrees. Nearly 
every one of the numerous eoal seams we have explored in this quarter,—often very 
small and consequently unprofitable for working,—has a floor of soft slate or fire clay, 
and a roof of coarse siliceous conglomerate. This fact is distinctly exhibited in the two 
sections, and in the ground plan, which accompany this memorial.| The conglomerate 
or pudding-stone, spoken of, is compact and dense: it is extremely difficult to blast, and 
* Proportions of Carbon, — ; ; ‘ j ‘ ' 9 00..10, 
Volatile matter, : ; : : ; : : i ; . 16 90 
Ashes, r . ; i : i ; : : ; ; i a POO 
100 00 
Specific Gravity, . : : s i : . 1 391 
¢ It has only been found practicable, consistent with the arrangements of the Society on the present occasion, to 
admit of one engraved illustration, of a part of the diagram exhibited by the author to the meeting. 
