
5 
*s 
tion of carbon and hydrogen which may be counted on for the useful pro- 
duction of heat, considerably less than that found in the same way for 
cr. VALUE OF LIGNITES AND IRONSTONES. 177 
* — most true coals, but much in excess of that for wood or peat. 

420. By taking into account all these circumstances, with others of 
less importance, and applying the knowledge to the examination of the 
results of ultimate analyses of fuels, very exact estimates of their 
capabilities may be formed. Of the lignites of the interior region of’ this 
continent, unfortunately, but few reliable ultimate analyses are to be 
found, and of these only two apply to those of British North America. I 
had hoped to have added such analyses of some of the more important 
lignites of the forty-ninth parallel to this Report, but the time at my dis- 
posal has not sufficed. The analyses referred to are from specimens 
collected by Dr. Hector, and are as follows * :— 

L Ii. 
Bere shat tjiard wai ala see ita ds 56°50 50°60 
NS do ia aa ac 519 as tam 8 tm, 4 5 8 3°65 3°24 
EY ee EP eee Fe eth ay eer 18°91 14°41 
I Se SE ee Pe 0°80 0°90 
OR oe See PR ee a eee 0°60 0°42 
RIES, Metra ae alate ts Wain wie wal ae ou har acne ® 5°62 15°93 
So A i 13°92 14°50 
100°00 100-00 
No, I. from the Souris River near La Roche Percée. No. II. from a 
six-foot seam occurring near Fort Edmonton, on the north Saskatchewan. 
The calorific power of these two lignites as compared with that of pure 
carbon taken at 100, is 59 and 53 per cent. respectively. + 
421. One of the most important practical difficulties which has 
arisen in connection with the use of the lignites of the Western States, 
has been the cracking up of the material, on parting with its water, and 
its speedy reduction to fragments when exposed to the weather. It 
has there been found preferable to use the lignites as soon as possible, 
after their extraction from the mine, even at the expense of an additional 
quantity of heat, lost in evaporating hygroscopic water. As the lignites 
do not form a coherent coke, this cannot be remedied, as it might be 
with most bituminous coals; lignite charcoals might, however, be 
produced ; and though in most cases, these are found to be rather friable, 
many of the compact western lignites would probably give a good result. 
The lignites are, however, now extensively employed for locomotive 
engines, and other steam-raising purposes, and though not directly 
*Hector. Journ. Geol. Soc., vol. xvu., pp. 409, 421. The analyses made by Mr. Charles Tookey in 
Dr. Percy’s laboratory. Royal School of Mines. 
+ As calculated by Mr. Raymond. Quoted by Mr. Marvine in U. 8S. Geol. Surv. Territ., 1873, p. 114. 
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