373 Chemical Examination of Bituminous Coal. 



ashes are of a kind and in such a state as to offer no inconven- 

 ience in using it as a fuel. The coke also is in excellent form 

 for producing intense heat. 



To show more particularly the resemblances of this coal, we 

 cite below, a collection of the analyses of various coals, some 

 dry and others fat coal, from a Report on the Manufacture of 

 Iron, made to the Legislature of Maryland, by J. H. Alexander, 

 Esq. 



Dry coals. 



t Fat coals. 



The Newcastle coal, analyzed by Karsten, gave 68.5 per cent, 

 of coke. The average of our results, by the last series of ex- 

 periments, is 68.2 per cent, of coke. 



The following table will show the relations of the Mid Lothian 

 coal in its amount of coke. 



Clyde, 



Tipton, 



Newcastle, 



Staffordshire, 



69. 



70. 



64.5 



70. 



68.5 



65.9 



Rive deGier, 68.5 



Lancashire, 64.72 Cannel. 



Mid Lothian, 64.33 aver. 1st series. 



" 68.2 aver. 2d do. 



" 65.9 general average. 



The average of the three experiments upon the Newcastle coal, 

 gives 67.6. 



It appears that the Mid Lothian coal of Virginia, is substantially 

 the same as the best coals of both Europe and America, while it 

 is almost identical with the Newcastle coal of England. 



Its proportion of excellent coke, is almost two thirds of the en- 

 tire weight ; of the volatile matter, which is about one third part, 

 more than three fifths are combustible, and in a form to act very 

 advantageously in producing a bright and hot blaze, while only 

 one thirteenth part of incombustible, earthy and metallic matter 

 remains in the form of ashes. This proportion of incombustible 

 matter is a positive advantage, for being a bad conductor, it makes 

 the fire hotter by retaining and accumulating the heat. Count 



