438 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [^PI"- T-1; 



iron-ore of the Coal-measures below it, both beds being above the 

 coal worked at Rix's Creek. 



Proceeding onwards from Scone, I visited Mount "Wingen, where 

 abundant sulphurous vapours issue from a coal-seam on fire, killing 

 the trees in the direction in which the wind carries the vapours ; 

 and, as the coal is exhausted by burning below, the ground falls in, 

 making fresh crevices for the exit of vapour. On the walls of these 

 crevices sulphurous salts are deposited, which are collected by visitors 

 and have much local repute for various uses. 



Approaching Mount Murulla, the marine fossiliferous beds are again 

 abundant ; and as I heard many different stories of rocks and fossils to 

 be found on the mountain-top, I went to the summit, which is about 

 2000 feet above Murrurundi, and nearly 4000 feet above the sea- 

 level. Por 800 feet of the ascent the mountain is flanked as by a 

 wall of coarse conglomerate, chiefly of quartz pebbles, in some of 

 which I found gold. The summit is a rough black basalt in large 

 angular masses, and in such disorder as to indicate violent upheaval. 

 The range on the opposite side of the narrow valley of Murrurundi 

 is of like character ; but there is sandstone in the valley, and coal is 

 reported to be seen cropping out in the creeks on the lower levels. 

 I have reason to believe that the seam which is on fire at Mount 

 "Wingen extends into these levels, and will be found where they have 

 not been disturbed by eruption. 



I purpose making an early examination of the deposits of Brown 

 Cannel at Hartley for my further instruction. Research wiU be 

 made in the Lower Hunter District for the same mineral mth great 

 probability of success ; and meantime the Black Cannel of Stoney 

 Creek, and the rich coals of Anvil Creek, and the seams of 

 the same group which I am successfully opening at Dalwood 

 Creek will probably commence to be distilled. I would also direct 

 attention to the Inganee seam, formerly worked at the Four-Mile 

 Creek, East Maitland, as a good Black Cannel of easy access. 



There have been considerable differences in the reports of experi- 

 ments as to the yield in oil of one and the same coal at the hands 

 of different operators ; but the process employed may greatly affect 

 the yield, and by one mode there may be driven off in gas much which 

 may be condensed by another. I know that it is so in the distilla- 

 tion of turpentine from resins ; and it may be equally the case in 

 obtaining the products from Cannel Coal. I would recommend that 

 in such experiments the gases be collected and measured as well as 

 the liquids, and then we shall be more correctly informed as to the 

 qualities of the coals experimented upon. The oil in the Boghead 

 Coal is said to be equal to 75 j)er cent, of its weight. "Whatever the 

 yield may be, the Hartley Coal is of less specific gravity than the 

 Boghead, and will, I have no doubt, if operated upon by the same 

 means, give as good results. 



