624 A. H. STOKES 0-R THE COAL FOIJIfD 



metre. 



Argillaceous shale 0"13 



Coal 007 



Argillaceous shale 0-39 



Coal 0-16 



Argillaceous shale 0*42 



Coal 023 



Argillaceous shale 0'71 



Coal 063 



Argillaceous shale 0-21 



Coal 0-11 



Argillaceous shale 0*20 



Coal 0-20 



It would be entering into too minute details to give all the sec- 

 tions taken ; and therefore the author has indicated upon the map 

 the whole of the positions where the coal-bearing strata have been 

 discovered, and given a tabulated epitome of such sections as are 

 required to prove their continuity. 



It is very clear, from the sections and heights of the various open- 

 ings made in the mountain-sides, that the whole of the seams of coal 

 are those included in the thickness of argillaceous shale which exists 

 between the trap or dolerite mountains, as previously named in 

 describing No. 6 section. At no other point could I find a place 

 where the total thickness of the coal-bearing strata could be mea- 

 sured. 



The mountain-sides present to the eye a number of parallel layers 

 of trap, extending for miles in successive beds : the regularity of 

 these beds, and their horizontal position, running in unison, may be 

 traced from the mountain-top until they gradually descend to the 

 sea-level. They have one uniform dip and direction, stretching from 

 S.S.W. to N.N.E., and fall towards the N.E. at an angle of from 

 3 to 4 degrees. 



The heights of the various openings made to expose the coal-seams 

 are given above sea-level, and were taken by means of an aneroid 

 barometer. The instrument was adjusted to sea-level before start- 

 ing in the morning, and again upon return in the evening, the time 

 of each observation correctly entered with the barometrical reading, 

 and alterations allowed for in the working-out of the observations 

 after each day's journey. 



It will be seen upon reference to the map that the coal-field is 

 divided into two districts, the Trangisvaag valley separating the 

 northern from the southern coal-field. 



It is not only possible, but very probable, that this was at one 

 time one unbroken coal-field, and that the part forming the Trangis- 

 vaag valley was washed away after the coal-bearing strata had been 

 deposited. The coal on either side of the valley being so similar in 

 character, and its inclination agreeing in both dip and direction, 

 there can be but one opinion formed by those who have seen the 

 strata, viz. that it is one and the same formation. 



The area of the coal-fields or, more properly speaking, coal-bearing 

 strata (because it is not yet definitely ascertained that a good work- 

 able seam or seams extend under the whole of the district, although 



