172 



TAB. CLXXXIX, 



Surturbrand. 



This is found near the mouth of the Ouse, ten miles from 

 Brighton, Sussex, and is of the same kind as the Surtur* 

 brand of Iceland. Near the surface of the ground its 

 changes are somewhat different from those of the foregoing, 

 as it is less resi no-bituminous, and more oxy-carbonized» 

 It is found in large masses resembling compressed stumps 

 of trees, and is of a most perfect black like Jet; but if 

 compared with good Jet, has rather a gray cast. Sir Joseph 

 Banks gave me a piece near two feet long, and above one 

 in the broadest diameter; the compressed diameter is a 

 little above two inches. The transverse section shows the 

 concentric formation of the wood, and the sides crack and 

 flake off more or less in circles. It is more brittle than 

 Jet, and, being less bituminous, is not" rendered electric 

 by friction. It is often so much impregnated with Pyrites 

 that it is apt to fall to pieces with the change of the 

 atmosphere, even when preserved in cabinets. 



Mr. Hatchett observes of Surturbrand, Linn. Trans, v. 4. 

 399, " that it is rather harder than Bovey Coal, but in 

 every other respect the same." I take the liberty to say 

 that it is generally blacker, and appears to have been less 

 disturbed, being more regularly formed, and the transverse 

 fracture more polished, while that of the Bovey Coal has 

 rather a resinous appearance. 



I have a specimen from Dr. Scott, found near Belfast, 

 on the side of a mountain, the stratum being three feet 

 thick, which comes immediately between the two ( if we 

 stand upon very nice distinction), not being so soft as Bovey 

 Coal, nor having such a polish as the Surturbrand. Mr. 

 Warburton was so good as to bring me a small series of 

 these productions from Sussex, among which was the 

 Surturbrand. 



