THE BLOUNT MOUNTAIN COAL FIELD. 69 



was discovered, but does not serve to fix its position except 

 inferentially in other parts of the field. In fact it is not yet 

 certainly known that this seam has been seen at any other 

 point than the Waicle Gap. Yet it is very probable that at 

 its proper horizon it is co-extensive with this coal field. 



A coal seam of about 3 feet thickness exists at the AUgood 

 Gap, in S. 4, T. 13, E. 2 E., in connection with a large body 

 of slates, which may possibly be this seam. But it is among 

 the vertical measures, with no cap-rock or other surround- 

 ings to afford it identification. Should this be the Waide 

 seam it is evident that its normal place is far beneath the 

 surface, and can only be reached by deep mining. In the 

 other gaps through Straight Mountain, between this one and 

 the Locust Fork, its position is still deeper, and it is not 

 brought to the surface by the vertical uplift. Its south- 

 eastern out-crop in the middle of the field is necessarily in 

 the high lands which make the divide between the two 

 branches of the Warrior, where all out-crops are so 

 thoroughly covered up that no coal has yet been discovered. 



The Cowden Seam not classed and probably not included 

 in the General Section presents another case of unsettled 

 identity. This seam, of which a description and sections 

 are given under the heading of "Explorations" was one of 

 the first coal seams opened in this field. It was opened the 

 first year of Prof. M. TUOMEY'S service as State Geologist of 

 Al<il<iui, under the direction of George Powd one of his 

 assistants. The opening on it was made by John P. Cowden, 

 who had discovered it, and is hence called "the Cowden 

 Seam." 



The assistant reported the seam as being 4 feet 10 inches 

 thick, and Prof. Tuomey paid Mr. Cowden a premium of 

 $10.00 for its discovery. 



The first opening on this seam may have been made where 

 it was abnormally thick ; subsequent openings near the same 

 place show a seam of 4 feet 2 inches thick, including a part- 

 ing of 4 inches of soft slate, dividing the coal into two 



