358 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [May 7, 



particles, which, according to Bowerbank, have a truly oolitic or con- 

 centric concretionary structure, are entirely formed of the soluble 

 silica. 



The silica which existed in the hydrochloric acid solution was that 

 which was present in a state of combination in the ore, probably 

 with both protoxide and peroxide of iron ; and the peculiar greenish- 

 grey colour of the ore was doubtless due to the presence of this 

 silicate of the mixed oxides of iron, just as the colour of the green 

 particles in the so-called greensand is believed to be due to the like 

 cause. 



The proportion of phosphoric acid in the ore is comparatively 

 large, and may be easily accounted for by the fossiliferous character 

 of the ore. The quality of the iron smelted from this ore would cer- 

 tainly be very sensibly affected by the proportion of phosphorus, and 

 probably also by the silica existing in a state of combination. 



5. On the Occurrence of Coal near the City of E-u in China. 

 By the Bev. R. H. Cobbold. 



[Forwarded from the Foreign Office by order of the Earl of Clarendon.] 



On Monday, December 1 7, we left the city of E-u, and, after walk- 

 ing a few miles, met every hundred yards with men bearing coals. 

 On inquiring of them where the coals were obtained, they pointed 

 to some hills in front of us, called the " Coal Hills." As the mines 

 were said to be but a short way off our road, we determined to visit 

 them. About a mile off the main road the work of the miners was 

 very evident, and rude straw huts, dotted about on the sides of the 

 hills, showed both where the pits were, and the residences for the 

 workmen. Two of the nearest pits were visited, and I was sorry 

 that I had not seen the working of coal in England, that I might have 

 been able to make, in various particulars, a better comparison, and 

 so give a clearer account. The pits were from 300 to 500 feet deep. 

 The descent was made by about ten storeys (in the first we visited) ; 

 so that only 40 or 50 feet were descended at once ; and then a fresh 

 platform, with a fresh windlass reaching another 50 feet ; and so on 

 to the last : from each platform galleries were cut, about 6 feet wide, 

 following of course the vein of coal. The workmen did not descend 

 by the basket, as I believe is usual at home, but climbed down the 

 pit by means of beams let into the sides. The mouth of the pit 

 was about 6 feet by 4, and this seemed to be the dimensions all the 

 way down. The descent was thus very easily and very safely 

 effected, the men swinging themselves from one side to the other, as 

 if they were going down some huge chimney. About forty men 

 were at work in each pit, besides those engaged in sorting and pack- 

 ing the coal on the surface. The coal was very bright, but it was 

 not bituminous. 



The price at the pit's mouth varied from 200 to 500 "cash " for a 

 burden of 130 catties, which gives 1*62 to 4 dollars per ton (English). 



