Mr. Woods on the Anthracite Coal of South Wales. 213 



be ultimately adopted for these purposes. There seem at 

 present some difficulties as to the best mode of using this 

 combustible; since by sudden exposure to an incandescent 

 furnace it is apt to split or exfoliate into minute fragments, 

 which choke up the draught of air, or are thrown out like dust 

 by any rapid motion. Dr. Ure assigns as the cause of this, 

 I believe truly, that being a bad conductor of heat, the super- 

 ficial parts expand and break off from the cooler internal 

 portions; the remedy for which appears to be some contri- 

 vance for gradually heating the coal before it comes into 

 contact with the fire, and of supplying a constant current of 

 hot air ; these precautions are not required for common fires. 

 Mr. Player has secured a patent for such a process, which is 

 exhibited on the Thames in the steamer called the Anthracite, 

 the action of which every one is disposed to praise, yet no one 

 adopts : for this no reason appeal's but the difficulty of over- 

 coming prejudices, or the fear of engaging in novelties in the 

 first instance requiring some additional expenditure. 



With regard to its application to domestic use it has many 

 and forcible recommendations; it gives out a clear, steady and 

 durable heat; requires but little attention when once lighted; 

 and the absence of all annoyance from smoke, soot or dust, 

 renders it very desirable for culinary purposes and for bed- 

 rooms ; in the parlour it may be thought deficient in the 

 bright and cheerful character which belongs to the Newcastle 

 coal ; besides which, as the anthracite never cakes, it requires 

 no aid from the poker, the employment of which on the con- 

 trary extinguishes the fire, and therefore may be deemed ob- 

 jectionable. 



Analysis of the vein of Anthracite coal called the Gwerdd 

 (Green) vein from Coalbrook in Carmarthenshire near 

 Pont y berem, in the vale of the Gwendraeth, the property 

 of the Gwendraeth Anthracite Company ; by Mons. Jac- 

 quelain, of the Ecole des Arts at Paris. 



Ultimate analysis. 



Carbon ... 



89"4<3 



Hydrogen 



3-56 



Oxygen ... 



3'66 



Azote 



0'29 



Ashes 



1-70 



Hygro me- 



1 



tric moist- 



y l-se 



ure 



J 



Volatile 



sub- 

 stances 



Manufacturing analysis. 

 Carbon 89*801 „ , rt1 

 Ashes. V10 }Co\<e9} 



W r ater 1 '35 



r slightly car- *\ 

 buret ted 



hydrogen, \- 7*15 

 ammonia 

 and oxygen J 



100 



50 



100 



One gramme of the coal reduces 33*3 grammes of lead, con- 

 sequently the heating power may be thus estimated : 1 kilo- 



