1838.] Supposed Coal Field at Bidjeegurh. 843 



21. In this vicinity, I observed two or three small exudations of 

 petroleum. This was so far encouraging, for Professor Jameson observes, 

 " it generally flows from rocks of the coal formation, and usually 

 from the immediate vicinity of beds of coal, &c." The surfaces of 

 projecting rocks below the springs are slightly coated with it, where, 

 from long exposure to the sun, it has become completely hard, but 

 without losing its characteristic smell. 



22. On the 7th December, I continued the excavations on the face 

 of the rock ; dug down deeper and laid bare the original formation. 

 The whole of the space within the dotted line from a to b was now 

 laid bare, exhibiting only alternate strata of sandstone and shale. Into 

 one vein marked b, I penetrated as far as the workmen could well 

 act ; the roof of this vein was formed of a singular conglomerate of from 

 three to six inches in thickness : c is a vein of slate, which might 

 answer for roofing slate, as some of the lamina I broke out, were 

 nearly two feet in length. 



23. Small plates of talc were separated from between the lamina 

 of slate, and some few on being split presented an appearance, as if 

 they had been covered with a coarse gold leaf. 



24. The space from a to b is what Mr. Hyland imagines has been 

 artificially closed, and that it covered the entrance to a coal mine ; I 

 had in consequence, every particle of soil (which in my opinion is the 

 gradual accumulation of vegetable decomposition, mixed with earthy 

 particles fallen from the summit), removed to a depth of ten feet or 

 more, until I was stopped by the original sandstone rock at d. 



25. I consider it to be a mere waste of time and money, to dig 

 deeper in that direction, and I am strengthened in this opinion from 

 examination of the formation about the fall. At b, between three and 

 400 yards north of the present excavations, and about 150 feet 

 below there exists nothing but hard flinty slate alternating with sand- 

 stone. 



26. The veins of slate were traced along the surface of the rock 

 for about 100, or even 150 feet, without the slightest difference in 

 the general formation : several masses of a tubaceous limestone were 

 excavated, containing imbedded fragments of slate, and (apparently J 

 traces of bones. I also found the bones of a human being, about 3 

 feet below the surface, but judging from their appearance they had lain 

 there for a century. 



27. The above described excavations were made, entirely upon the 

 statements of Mr. Hyland ; he has failed in pointing out a spot, even 

 answering to the description given at pages 30 and 33 of his deposition. 



