130 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Asphaltum 



Asphaltum or mineral pitch is an amorphous mixture of 

 hydrocarbons, for the most part oxygenated. It is characterized 

 by a black color and dull luster and melts at about 100° F. 



Asphaltum is not associated with rocks of any particular age 

 but is most abundant in formations containing bituminous mate- 

 rial or vegetable remains. It is found in the region of the Dead 

 sea; in Trinidad, where it forms a lake about a mile and a half 

 in circuit; and in various places in South America and elsewhere. 



Its use for paving purposes is well known. 



Uintaite (gilsonite). A variety of asphalt found in consider- 

 able deposits in Utah. 



Albertite. An amorphous hydrocarbon compound differing 

 from ordinary asphaltum in its very imperfect fusibility and in 

 the fact that it is only partially soluble in oil of turpentine. It 

 has a brilliant luster and is jet black in color. Albertite occurs 

 in the rocks of the Lower Carboniferous in Nova Scotia. 



Mineral coal 



Coal is a compact massive substance consisting mainly of 

 oxj-genated hydrocarbons. It is black, grayish black or brown- 

 ish black in color, occasionally iridescent, and has a luster vary- 

 ing from dull to brilliant. 



Coal owes its origin to the gradual alteration of organic 

 deposits, chiefly vegetable. It occurs in beds interstratified 

 with shales, sandstones and conglomerates, sometimes forming 

 distinct layers of vaiwing thickness. 



Anthracite. Anthracite or hard coal is characterized by a 

 bright, often submetallic luster and is iron-black in color, fre- 

 quently iridescent. It contains comparatively little volatile 

 matter. 



A nthracite beds occur in the formations east of the Alleghany 

 range, which in Pennsjdvania reach a thickness of 3300 feet. 



Bituminous coal. Bituminous coal differs from the above chiefly 

 in the higher percentage of volatile hydrocarbon oils contained 

 in it. Bituminous coal may be classed as: 



1 caking or coking coal 



2 noncaking coal 



3 cannel coal 



