Coal-Seams of Van Diemens Land. 



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analysis of the combustible matter of the mineral, and 

 also that of coal and of resin : — 





Mersey- 

 Mineral, 



Eesin. 



Coal 

 Lesmaliago 



Coal 

 Boghead. 



Carbon 



Hydrogen 



61-62 



9-78 

 28-60 



72-0 

 9-3 



18-7 



80-45 



6-89 



12-66 



81-16 

 11-25 



Oxygen and Nitrogen 



7-59 





100 



100 



100 



100 



In conclusion, therefore, I have merely to repeat that this 

 mineral consists of clay and sand, highly impregnated with 

 a combustible substance analogous to resin, on the pre- 

 sence of which all its peculiar as well as useful properties 

 entirely depend. The principal use to which it is capable 

 of being applied is in the manufacture of gas for illumina- 

 tion. It is, however, very inferior in this respect to gas coal, 

 both as regards the quantity and the quality of the gas it 

 will give. Unless, indeed, it can be procured very cheaply 

 and abundantly, I am clearly of opinion that it can scarcely 

 be worked with advantage even for this purpose. In its 

 natural state it cannot be used as fuel, in consequence of 

 the considerable amount of clay it contains ; and hence it is 

 not available for steam purposes. Its coke also for the same 

 reason is perfectly worthless. The gas from it will require 

 to be carefully and extensively purified, in order to remove 

 the injurious products afforded by the sulphur existing in it; 

 and the large amount of " oxygen " it contains will have 

 the effect of making the gas very thin, or, in other words, of 

 diminishing its illuminating powers. The only other appli- 



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