Richmond and Jerusalem. 69 



river there is a curved ridge of greenstone, between 

 which and the bend the coal-beds are situated, em- 

 bracing an area of probably not more than 7000 or 8000 

 square yards, — a space which, it is obvious, would yield 

 from a seam of two feet in thickness a very insignifi- 

 cant amount of coal, could even the whole be realized : 

 but it is certain this would not be the case ; and it is 

 probable that the expence of working would be unusually 

 heavy, from the rapid descent of the strata, and the 

 necessity which would arise for the use of machinery. 



It is not unlikely that the coal might be recovered 

 by sinking in the valley to the west of the ridge of erup- 

 tive rock, if indeed it may not be found to pass under 

 it ; but in either case it must, if at all, be worked at 

 a cost far beyond that which the prospect of returns 

 would justify. 



The Richmond coal possesses for domestic purposes 

 alone a slight recommendation over that o-f Port Arthur : 

 it is in no respect better qualified for use in steam navi- 

 gation or otherwise, where a fuel capable of high and 

 expeditious heating powers is requisite. 



On the southern side of the dike of eruptive rock, 

 which I have said crosses the coal strata toward the 

 crop, the sandstone and shales re-appear ; and some 

 abortive attempts have been made in that vicinity to 

 regain the coal. 



To the eastward, the country rises by a succession 

 of gently rounded greenstone eminences into the con- 

 tinuous chain of lofty hills which on that side give 

 limits to the valley of the Coal River, and stretch, with 

 trifling interruption at Prosser's Plains, to the ocean 

 near Spring Bay ; exhibiting on the central flat or table 

 land about Brushy Plains, and elsewhere, traces of the 

 upper sandstone carried up with it at the time of its 

 elevation. 



