706 Report on the discovery of Coal. [Aug. 



The very large proportion of volatile matter, near 50 per cent, shews 

 this coal to be a superior blazing material, which is the main point in 

 getting up steam, so much so that I understand one of the Company's 

 steamers is unable to get up steam with the Burdwan coal without a 

 large admixture of English cannel coal. It also makes it an admirable 

 coal for generating gas. 



To try this latter experimentally I distilled over the gas from 18 

 tolas of the Mergui coal, and in a few minutes obtained two gasometers 

 full, or by weight nearly three and a quarter tolas of gas, besides 4. 3 

 tolas* of thick brown naphtha and water, a third part of which would 

 have been converted into gas had it passed through a heated tube. 



When used in the forge the clear copious blaze is rather objection- 

 able ; it wastes the heat, and more coal is consequently expended ; but 

 a very good weld was effected with it in presence of Captain Forbes. 



In the same manner the great loss of volatile matter makes it 

 unprofitable for coking (yielding only one half instead of three fourths 

 its weight), but the coke itself is very close and good, being as free from 

 earthy impurity as much of the English coal. 



All other particulars may be learnt by comparing the analysis with 

 that of other coals in my printed table : (see p. 197 of the present vol. 



(Signed) J. Prinsep, 

 22nd June, 1838. Assay Master. 



Analysis of the three first specimens of Lignite sent by Dr. Helfer, 

 from Mergui. 

 No. 1. A. No. 2. B. No. 3. C. 



Burned with small Burned with fewer Burned with a few 

 flame and copious scintillations and scintillations and 

 scintillations. poor flame. poor flame. 



Specific gravity, 1.256 1.376 1.391 



Water 10.0 9.3 7.3 



Volatile matter, , 56.7 1 © 



Carbon, 36 



6.7-1 

 6.0 )■ 

 7.3) 



o 



53.9 



o 



38.6 



37.3 



© 



43.8 



8.8 



•"• 



17.6 



Ferruginous, & earthy matter, 



Second despatch D. and E. — Pitch coal from Mergui. 

 All four burned with copious rich flame \ coke close-grained and of highly metallic 

 lustre. 



Water, 



Specific gravity, 



No. 1 . 



9-7 

 1.273 



No. 2. 

 8.2 

 1.280 



No. 3. 

 7.4 

 1.245 



No. 4. 

 7.6 

 1.251 



Volatile matter, 



45.01 

 50.3 \% 



*,J2 



48.91 a 



46.7 § 



4.4J2 



45.1 1 d 

 6.6 J 2 

 J. 



48.21 

 48.7 1 



Earthy matter, slightly "1 

 ferruginous, J 



3..J 



Prinsep. 



Calcutta, the 22nd June, 1838. 



* It consisted of one tola of Naphtha 3.3 of aqueous liquid containing sulphate and 

 farbonate of ammonia, and pyrolignous acid. 



