94 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. [Oh. VI. 



of the coolies ; its comparative cheapness is owing to the 

 low value of cooHe labour, added to the absence of expensive 

 outlay in the working of the mines. 



The coal resources of Ke-lung have only recently been 

 made known. In 1857 it was stated that " owing to the 

 prohibition by the -authorities of Formosa against the ex- 

 port of rice, vessels arrived at Amoy loaded almost entirely 

 with coal, at about 1^ dollar (5s. 6d.) a ton ; " and it was 

 further said at that time that arrangements might be made 

 for the formation of a stock for the supply of Her Majesty's 

 vessels on very favourable terms. 



In 1858 H.M.S. "Inflexible" received coals at Ke-lung 

 at the rate of four dollars (17s. 6d.) per ton. H.M.S. 

 " Serpent," during the year 1866, was coaled at the rate of 

 16 dollars the hundred piculs, which is somewhat less than 

 three dollars (13s.) the ton ; and for this price we selected 

 our coal from the depots, and it was brought alongside and 

 deposited in the bunkers. When we finally left Ke-lung, 

 there were seven ships in the harbour — Hamburg, Bremen, 

 Prussian, and English, receiving coal either as cargo or for 

 consumption. 



The position of the coal-bed of Ke-limg proves that it is of 

 comparatively recent formation. It lies apparently quite 

 superficial; and, although it would undoubtedly require a 

 closer and longer study than I was able to devote to it, in 

 order to prove its exact geological relations, especially in the 

 absence of ^ny subterranean workings in the form of shafts 

 or borings, the position of the worked seams is undoubtedly 

 superficial to the sandstone. How far down the coal seams 

 are believed to penetrate I was unable to learn, for they are 

 in the hands of Chinese proprietors, and all the workers are 

 Chinese, with whom I was unable to communicate directly ; 



