112 Combustible Mitieral of the Mersey River. 



gives when completely burned, with a view to ascertain 

 whether it could be applied to any useful purpose. The 

 following statement gives the results obtained from one 

 hundred parts : — 



Sand and silica 85'50 



Alumina 10"7I 



Oxide of iron 1'29 



Lime, magnesia, &c 2'60 



100. 



From these results it is evident that this ash consists 

 of little else than sand, and is obviously of no value 

 whatever. 



With regard to the nature of the combustible matter in 

 this mineral, I may mention that it is essentially different 

 from coal. In its chemical composition, as well as in some 

 of its leading qualities, it is more analogous to resinous 

 matter than any other known substance, though I must add 

 that "in many particulars it presents some striking peculiari- 

 ties. Generally speaking, resins are more or less soluble in 

 alcohol, ether, naphtha, and oil of turpentine ; but this 

 mineral is very little acted upon by these solvents. It 

 gives a small quantity of soluble matter to ether and 

 oil of turpentine. It also partially dissolves in potash. It 

 cannot be considered as a " bitumen," as all true bitumens 

 dissolve to a greater or less extent in naphtha and oil of 

 turpentine, which, even after protracted boiling, have very 

 little action on the present substance. I find also that the 

 combustible portion of this mineral contains a large amount 

 of oxygen, whereas in ordinary bitumen there is comparatively 

 a very small proportion of this elementary substance. The 

 following statement contains the results of an elementary 



