THE 



AMERICAN 

 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, &c. 



Art. I. — Geological and Statistical Notice of the Coal Mines in 

 the vicinity of Richmond, Va. ; by A. S. Wooldridge, Presi- 

 dent of the Mid Lothian Mining Company. 



TO THE EDITORS. 



Gentlemen — I have been delayed in replying to your letter of 

 May last, hoping to receive from the respective owners of the 

 coal mines, statistical statements of their mining operations, that 

 I might transmit you more accurate and full information, than I 

 can hope to furnish without such aid ; but as I have failed in se- 

 curing such assistance, I will submit such a statement, imperfect 

 as it must be, as my knowledge and information enable me to 

 furnish. 



The coal-field of this vicinity lies about thirteen miles west of 

 Richmond ; is known to extend from about fifteen miles north of 

 James river, south beyond the Appomatox river; is said to be some 

 fifty miles in length, and in breadth about twelve miles — its 

 bearing is some thirteen degrees west of south ; it lies upon granite, 

 and is supposed to be in the form of an ellipse ; it outcrops to the 

 east and west. The coal lies in six counties — Henrico, Hanover, 

 Goochland, Chesterfield, Powhatan, and Amelia. The mines 

 in Chesterfield county, near the Buckingham road leading from 

 Richmond to Lynchburg, may be said, so far as the north and 

 south points are regarded, to occupy the centre of the field on 

 the eastern outcrop; and it is in this vicinity that the coal ap- 

 pears in its greatest thickness and purity ; it varies from fifty 



Vol. xLiii, No. 1.— April-June, 1842. 1 



