from the Coal Mines near Newcastle. 385 



in each bottle, and the bottles were sent to me packed in boxes in an in- 

 verted position. In most instances, when the stoppers were withdrawn in 

 the pneumatic trough, a portion of water instantly rushed in, showing both 

 that the means of securing the gases had proved effectual, and that the 

 gases within the mine were in a more rare state than in my laboratory. 



As one of the principal objects of the enquiry was to determine in how 

 far the gas of different mines varied in chemical constitution, it was mate- 

 rial to multiply as much as possible, the samples of gas submitted to exa- 

 mination. The number of samples actually received and examined by 

 me, amounted to twelve. The result of this analysis will be given in a 

 tabular form at the close of this communication. The general conclusion 

 deducible from them is, that the essential and sole inflammable mate- 

 rial of fire-damp, as formerly found by Dr. Henry and Sir H. Davy, is the 

 light carbureted hydrogen, or marsh gas of chemists, which issues in a state 



Wales. I was directed by the Society to bring the matter before the committee of the 

 Coal Trade, and request their valuable co-operation and assistance in obtaining an exten- 

 sive analysis by one of the first chemists of the day, so as at once to set at rest the ques- 

 tion as to the nature of coal gas spontaneously evolved in this district. Dr. Turner was 

 named as the person best fitted for the task, not only from his great skill as an analyst, 

 but from his extensive knowledge as a geologist, and the attention he has paid to the che- 

 mistry of nature, so to speak. 



This investigation will not be an expensive one, and it was thought, from the deep import- 

 ance of the question as connected with the safety lamp, that the Coal Trade would have 

 no objections to join the Society in the cost. The Society are anxious that this investiga- 

 tion should be made speedily, as they are about going to press with a conclusion of the se- 

 cond volume of their Transactions, where they would wish this to appear as forming an ap- 

 propriate Appendix to the many valuable papers in the work connected with our local geo- 

 logy and mining. If the committee of the Coal Trade agree to give their assistance in this 

 matter, the Society will furnish them with any number of copies of the results of the inves- 

 tigation they may require ; and, individually, I most respectfully beg to offer my personal 

 services in collecting the specimens of gas, and making such arrangements as will secure 

 their conveyance to London unadulterated. 



I have the honour to be, &c, &c, 



WM. HUTTON, 



SECIiETAItY. 



To Robt. Wm. Brandling, Esq. 



The Coal Trade committee immediately adopted the suggestion, and appointed John 

 Buddie, Geo. Johnson, and Nicholas Wood, Esqrs-, to make the necessary arrangements 

 for collecting the specimens of gas. 



