Cox. — On the Mineralogy of New Zealand. 375 



" This mineral was first discovered by Mr. Traill, occurring in detached 

 masses of irregular form and considerable size in the superficial gravels and 

 peat deposits at most points along the low eastern shore of the Chatham 

 Islands. It appears to have no connection with the brown coal and lignite 

 deposits which occur in the same island ; nor could Mr. Traill discover any 

 distinct bed or seam of this mineral. It is very interesting on account of 

 its highly bituminous character, resembling that of the oil-shale found at 

 Mongonui, Auckland." 



A similar mineral is found on the Auckland Islands, and is mentioned 

 by Dr. Hector (Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. ii., p. 183). 



Bituminous Shale. — A mineral closely approximating to Torbanite is 

 mentioned by Dr. Hector (First Coal Eeport, 1866, p. 44) as coming from 

 Awatere, near Mongonui, Auckland. It is very coherent, close-grained, 

 hard and tough, almost elastic, does not show the slightest indications of 

 lamina or cleavage planes, having a smooth semi-conchoidal fracture in 

 every direction. Colour, dull black; perfectly homogeneous ; powder, brown 

 or chocolate colour ; sp. gr. 1-112 ; ignites with ease and bursts into flame, 

 which is sustained for a long time and with great vigour. Flame at first 

 luminous and bright, but soon becomes long and smoky. During com- 

 bustion small oil-bubbles are seen escaping. Heated to dull red heat in 

 closed crucible, 23 per cent, of light, non-coherent, cellular and slightly 

 lustrous coke remains, which burns readily in free access of air to a white ash. 



Analysis. 



Belative percentage 



of 



Volatile matter . . 88-93 



Fixed carbon . . . . 11-01 



100-00 100-00 



Carbonaceous Shale. — A mineral having the composition of — 

 Fixed carbon . . . . . . . . 14-96 



Hydro-carbon.. .. .. .. 39 - 39 



Water 6-74 



Ash . . . . 38-91 



Volatile matter 



. 75-20 



Carbon in coke 



9-30 



Hygroscopic water . 



1-80 



Ash 



13-70 



Sulphur 



traces 



100-00 

 occurs at Orepuki, Southland, and is reported on (Col. Mus. and Lab. 

 Eeports, xi., p. 11), and another from Blueskin Bay, Otago, is also men- 

 tioned (Col. Mus. and Lab. Beports, xiii., p. 21), which is composed of — 



Fixed carbon . . .. .. .. 13-81 



Hydro-carbon 29-78 



Water 10-76 



Ash 45-65 



100-00 



