EDITORIAL. 537 



The following analj'sis of this coal was made by Dr. A. J. Cox, of the 

 Bureau of Science: 



Per cent. 



Water 19.3 



Volatile combustible matter 38.8 



Fixed carbon 30.3 



Ash li.6 



Total lOO.O 



The heating value of this coal is not such that it could be used with 

 advantage alone for steam generation, but it must -be remembered that 

 the samples were taken from near the outcrops and that the coal probably 

 improves somewhat as the bed goes deeper down. If we consider the 

 poor quality of the coal and the thinness of the seams, together wdth the 

 distance from Manila as well as the scarcity of labor, it will be seen 

 that this coal probably will never become available for the Manila market. 

 However, there is no reason why the river steamboats could not save a 

 large part of their coal bills by using this material mixed with Australian, 

 and it might be possible, if developments should show improvement in 

 quality and continuity of seams, that steamers calling at Aparri would 

 find it profitable to take part of their coal at that port instead of at 

 Manila. 



H. G. Ferguson. 



