WINTER SESSION. 



Note. — The Authors of the various papers, of which abstracts are here 

 appended, are alone responsible for the views expressed in them. 



The opening meeting of the Session was held on 20th November, 

 when Mr. William Gray read a paper on "The Lignites of 

 Antrim, and their relation to True Coal." 



Some years ago Mr. Gray brought this subject before the 

 Society, but by some accident it was not referred to in the Annual 

 Report. Mr. Gray, therefore, thought he was justified in introdu- 

 cing it again for three reasons : — 



1 st. It was formerly omitted from the Annual Report. 



2nd. It is of importance, now that the public take so great an 

 interest in the Coal Question. 



And, 3rd. Mr. Gray has obtained additional information since 

 it was first brought before the Society. 



Mr. Gray referred first to the comparatively recent period. at 

 which Coal became generally used for fuel, and traced the devel- 

 opment of the coal trade since it was first used in London about 

 500 years ago until the present, when the mines of Great Britain 

 yield about 120 million tons per annum — a quantity equal to about 

 35 times the bulk of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, that employed 

 100,000 men twenty years in building. 



For some time past the public, considering this enormous con- 

 sumption, and the possible increased demands upon our resources 



