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XL — On certain Vegetable Organisms found in Coal from Fordel. By John 

 Hutton Balfour, M.D., F.L.S., Professor of Medicine and Botany in the Uni- 

 versity of Edinburgh. 



(Read 20th February 1854.) 



The Society has had its attention of late so much directed to the subject of 

 coal, that some apology, perhaps, is necessary for bringing this substance again 

 under notice. I may premise, however, that in doing so, it is not my intention 

 to revive the disputed question as to Boghead gas-coal, nor to take up the time of 

 the Society with what may be considered as unprofitable discussion. I purpose 

 to bring forward a few facts relative to a coal, concerning which there is no dis- 

 pute, and which presents some vegetable organisms and products calculated, in 

 my opinion, to throw light on the history of carboniferous deposits. Much of the 

 recent difference of opinion on the question of coal has arisen from the mode in 

 which some histologists have chosen to define it. I trust that the result of all our 

 discussions will be to lead to a fuller examination of coal in all its forms, — to a 

 comparison of specimens, both mineralogically and microscopically, from different 

 localities, — and, finally, to an extended report on the subject in which geologists, 

 chemists, and histologists will combine. 



In the meantime, I feel that we are called upon to collect facts, and to bring- 

 together authentic specimens in our public museums, which may aid in the in- 

 vestigation. I have already commenced the collection of specimens in the Mu- 

 seum of Economic Botany at the Botanic Garden, and I have secured the co- 

 operation of parties capable of giving most efficient assistance in this respect. 

 The establishment of a Museum of Economic Geology in Edinburgh will, it is 

 hoped, ere long supply the means of illustrating fully the coal-fields of Scotland. 



The present communication is made in the hope that the facts brought under 

 notice may be useful in the elucidation of the nature of the plants which have 

 been concerned in the production of coal. 



The coal to which I am now to refer, occurs at Fordel Collieries, near Inver- 

 keithing, in Fife ; and the specimens have been kindly supplied by Mr Daw, 

 Comptroller of Customs at Leith, who has taken a deep interest in the appear- 

 ances and structures presented by coal, and has allowed no opportunity to pass of 

 making observations on it. I take this opportunity of expressing publicly my 

 obligations to him. 



The coal is a splint-coal, which, when burnt, yields a considerable amount of 

 ashes, and hence is not well suited for household purposes. It exhibits numer- 



VOL. XXI. PART I. 3 E 



