Mr. DvNN on the Edge Seams of Mid- Lothian. I7I 



when the means of sinking to the deep Flat Coals was so imperfectly 

 understood, but it is difficult to account for a system so replete with 

 poverty, slavery, and demoralization, and moreover so destitute of real 

 economy, being persisted in throughout the neighbouring Flat Collieries. 

 In Sheriff Hall and Edmonstone, not less than 250 or 300 bearers are 

 constantly employed, in a Coal lying at about one in fifteen, and most 

 favourably circumstanced for the adoption of Rail-roads. In the Mar- 

 quess of Lothian's Collieries, south of the Esk, and many others, the 

 Coals are borne to the very surface by means of winding stairs fixed in 

 the pit shafts. It must at the same time be observed, that tram-roads 

 are beginning to find an introduction, and which it is to be hoped for 

 the sake of humanity, will rapidly supersede, for the most part, so un- 

 becoming a species of labour. 



It is somewhat remarkable, that this immense mass of Coal should be 

 entirely of the bituminous quality, viz. Splint and Cubical, and scarcely 

 one single specimen having any tendency to cake. 



Before concluding this paper, I wish to mention as a corroborating 

 fact of the Edge Coal underlying the Flat Coals of Sheriff Hall, that a 

 part of the Marquess of Lothian's ground contains a Parrott Coal, 

 similar to that in the Edge suite, and dissimilar to any thing in Sheriff 

 Hall, also that the Limestone is found cropping out beyond the south- 

 eastern ascertained Coal. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the Coal- 

 field south of the Esk, to attempt a classification, but I have little doubt 

 it may be proved to correspond with the Coal and Limestone on the 

 northern outcrop. 



In further illustration of the subject, I have annexed a rough Map of 

 the district, to which this paper chiefly applies (Plate 15), and also a 

 Plan and Section of the operations of Gilmerton Colliery (Plate 16). 



