Geology of Massachusetts. 45 
_ The extensive, and rapidly increasing demand for the Penn- 
sylvania coal, is a conclusive testimony to its first rate excellence. 
The experiments of Mr. Bull of Philadelphia, as well as those 
of Professor Silliman, recorded in the eleventh volume of the 
American Journal of Science, show that the best Rhode Island 
coal is not greatly inferior. ‘The Worcester coal, burns with more 
difficulty : but gentlemen who have fairly tried it, and on whose 
testimony I can depend, assure me, that it may be employed suc- 
cessfully, and comfortably for fuel. There can be no doubt, that 
its quality is inferior to the coal of Pennsylvania, and also to that of 
Rhode Island.* But it may be very much inferior, and yet for many 
purposes, be exceedingly valuable. ‘The fact is, anthracite has to 
struggle with prejudices wherever it is first introduced, arising chiefly 
from the comparative difficulty with which it is ignited; and it hap- 
pens in regard to this substance, as with most things new and untried, 
that the community generally feel, as if their business was to find as 
many objections to it as possible ; and the man who would bring any 
new substance into general use, needs no small share of patience, and 
perseverance. Dr. Meade states, that an experiment, made several 
years ago at Smithfield, upon the burning of limestone, with the 
Rhode Island coal, and another upon the burning of brick, in the vi- 
cinity of Boston, were thought to be complete failures, because the 
heat was so intense, that the surface of the lime and of the bricks was 
vitrified ; whereas the fact ought to havet aught the experimenters, that 
a more careful regulation of the heat would ensure success. Indeed, 
I predict, that ere long, in nearly every case where a strong and steady 
heat is required, anthracite will be found superior to all other kinds of 
fuel; and that the anthracite of Rhode Island, and even that of 
Worcester, will be considered by posterity, if not by the present 
generation, as a treasure of great value. ‘The Pennsylvania coal may 
indeed, for a great many years, command the market: but I appre- 
hend, that the time will come, when the expense of its transporta- 
tion to the Eastern States, and the increasing demand for it, will lead to 
the re-opening of the pits, that are now abandoned in New England. 
In coming to the conclusion, that the anthracite of Worcester, and 
even that of Rhode Island, are inferior to the Pennsylvania anthra- 
* According to the experiments of Mr. Bull, a pound of the best Pennsylvania 
anthracite maintained ten degrees of heat in a room, 13 hours and 40 minutes; a 
pound of the Rhode Island coal maintained the same heat in the same room, 9 hours 
and 30 minutes; and a pound of the Worcester coal, kept up the same heat only 7 
hours and 50 minutes. It is a curious fact that the specific gravity of the Worces- 
ter coal, is one third greater than that of the coal from the two former localities. 
