314 Notice of the Anthracite Region in the 



sion and preference ; but the varieties, after all, appear to be merely 

 shades of difference in the members of the same family ; and they 

 are fortunate differences, as they afford a more perfect adaptation to 

 the various purposes of the arts and of domestic economy. There 

 can be no doubt that the anthracite of the valleys of Wyoming and 

 Lackawanna contains all the varieties that are found in the other an- 

 thracite regions of Pennsylvania. To the eye of the mineralogist it 

 presents every appearance, indicative of the excellent qualities that 

 are known to belong to the anthracite of the Lehigh and Schuyl- 

 kill, and there can be no reason to doubt that the best coal of these 

 valleys is equal to the best in the world, and the inferior qualities, 

 like those of the other mines, are all applicable to important uses. 



It is interesting to observe the numerous uses to which the coal is 

 applied by the inhabitants, and the decided preference which they 

 give to it, over the wood and charcoal of their own forests. The 

 smiths uniformly employ It in their forges; and in the kitchens the 

 anthracite fire, kindled in a long and capacious grate, never goes out, 

 either in winter or summer, and perfectly answers every culinary 

 purpose*. Its use also in almost every art requiring fire is nearly 

 universal, and numerous favorable attestations, from the most respect- 

 able practical men, may be seen in Vols. IV and X, of this Journal. 



The large quantities of argillaceous or clay iron ore which are 

 -connected with the coal strata of this valley, and the bog ores which 

 appear also to abound here, are well worthy of the attention of the 

 inhabitants, and it can scarcely be doubted, that the difficulties hith- 

 erto experienced in the use of the anthracite in the smelting of 

 iron will be overcome, and then ail the means of manufacturing iron 

 will be here at hand. 



The chalybeate mineral springs which flow from numerous places 

 in this coal region, are worthy of some attention as sources of health, 

 and of attraction to strangers, and it might be well to exclude the rain 

 water from some of them, and to put them in other respects in order. 



I have seen with much pleasure, the great progress already made, 

 towards opening an easier communication with this important and in- 

 teresting valley. The canal which is just entering it at the south, 

 and which has already advanced within eight miles of Wilkesbarre, 

 will, without doubt, be continued through the entire valley, and also to 

 such other points as shall connect it to the north with similar commu- 

 nications from the interior lakes, canals, and rivers of New York. 



** The fixed ovens are heated with wood. 



