(50 



stones, — overlying the coal, after clipping throughout some distance 

 at a moderate inclination to the north-west, become gradually 

 almost horizontal, and continue so over much of the middle space 

 between the eastern and western boundaries of the basin. This, 

 certainly, implies the absence of any heavy dislocations affecting the 

 middle tracts of the coal field, and is one feature calculated to sup- 

 port the notion of boring for coal in that quarter. From what has 

 been said respecting the probability of an undulating surface in the 

 subjacent gneiss or granitic rock, and of the faults which intersect 

 the region, it becomes by no means improbable, that the coal in the 

 centre of the basin will be found, in some places at least, sufficiently 

 adjacent to the surface to admit of being profitably mined. General 

 analogy would lead us to look for accumulations of coal in that 

 quarter, if not thicker, at all events as thick, as can be seen near to 

 either outcrop. But the resources of the middle portion of the coal 

 field can only be imperfectly guessed at, until there has been 

 gathered a much larger mass of minute information from the bor- 

 ders of the region. We do not yet know any thing definite regard- 

 ing many portions of the limits of the basin, more especially the 

 western outcrop — and there is moreover much to do in following the 

 coal where it is already tolerably well known. 



The deepest shaft, that of the Midlothian mine in Chesterfield, is 

 500 feet to the coal ; and the workings connected with the same 

 mine, in consequence of some very heavy downthrows to the west, 

 penetrate to the depth of 700 feet below the surface. There is some 

 reason to believe, that still further from the outcrop, there will be 

 found an upthrow, bringing the coal once more nearer to the soil. 

 It is possible that a shaft one thousand feet deep, would reach the 

 coal in several places in the interior of the coal field. 



In addition to the invaluable deposite above described, coal veins 

 have been discovered in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties — 

 and the rocks accompanying this mineral, are known to extend over 

 a wide area in this portion of the state. Their thickness, compared 

 with those of the coal fields previously described, is, however, not con- 

 siderable — and the seams of coal which have been met with, though 

 containing a very excellent material, are on a comparatively limited 

 scale. The probable extent of coal in this district, appears as yet 

 entirely undetermined, and will remain so until an examination of 

 this portion of the state has been carefully and minutely made. The 

 discovery of coal within a small distance of the base of Willis" 



