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II. — On the Torbanehill Mineral. By Thomas Stewart Traill, M.D., F.R.S.E., 

 Professor of Medical Jurisprudence in the University of Edinburgh. 



(Read 5th December 1853.) 



It is well known to the Society, that a mineral, found in the strata of Torbane- 

 hill, not far from Bathgate, in the county of Linlithgow, has lately been the sub- 

 ject of a keen lawsuit. Specimens of this mineral were early in the year put 

 into my hands by the lessee, and sometime afterwards by the proprietor of Tor- 

 banehill, for the purpose of obtaining a mineralogical opinion on the nature of 

 the mineral. I stated at the time to both parties, that I would carefully examine 

 it before I could presume to offer a decided opinion. In fact, the mineral was 

 not altogether new to me ; for, in the two preceding years, I had received speci- 

 mens of a mineral from Torbanehill, and from Boghead, which I was unable to 

 refer to any described species ; and I was therefore determined to give my opi- 

 nion with due caution, especially as I understood that large interests were in- 

 volved in the question. 



After carefully comparing its characters with a great number of different 

 kinds of coal, of bituminous shale, and asphalt, with all of which it presented 

 affinities, and after a considerable number of experiments on its chemical cha- 

 racters, I came to the conclusion, that it was a mineral distinct from either, and 

 so peculiar as to deserve a particular name. From its qualities, I proposed for it 

 the designation of Bitumenite, as it seemed to consist of much bitumen, mingled 

 with earthy matter. 



This opinion I mentioned to one or two friends, and soon after, I received an 

 intimation, that I should be requested to attend as a witness on the part of the 

 proprietor. From his agents, however, supposing that they had enough of scientific 

 evidence on their side, I was not examined on the trial. 



I had been requested to examine the mineral in its native bed ; and, accord- 

 ingly, went to Torbanehill, and saw the works. There were four pits or shafts, 

 but No. 1 was no longer wrought ; Nos. 2, 3, and 4 were in active operation, and 

 large blocks of the mineral lay around the mouths of these pits. The quality of 

 the mineral extracted from each appeared to the eye nearly similar ; the blocks 

 varying in thickness, from 1 foot 4 inches to 1 foot 11 inches. 



VOL. XXI. PART I. C 



