62 



Mr. R J. Moss, F.C.S. On Arctic Coal 



I have analyzed the ash and found that it consists of :- 



34-69 



Alumina, 







27-30 



Iron Sesquioxide, 

 Lime, 







6-72 

 7-79 



Magnesia, 

 Potash, . 







1-83 

 7-58 



Soda, 







0-10 



Sulphuric Anhydride, 

 Phosphoric Anhydride, 

 Chlorine, 







13-79 

 trace 

 trace 



99-80 



The quantity of potash in the ash is unusually large. On 

 comparing the composition of the coal with that of other 

 coals of various geological ages it will be found that the Arctic 

 coal most closely resembles those of the true carboniferous period. 

 Coal from the great seam in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia* 

 possesses a chemical composition almost identical with that of 

 the Arctic coal. On the other hand some lignites of the Miocene 

 period bear a close chemical resemblance to the Arctic coal, if the 

 composition, exclusive of water, sulphur, and ash, be compared. 

 For example, a lignite from the Island of Sardinia possesses the 

 following compositiont : — 



Carbon, 



Hydrogen, 



Oxygen and Nitrogen, 



100-00 



It has been shown by ZinckenJ that it is impossible to deter- 

 mine the geological age of coal from its chemical composition ; of 

 this fact the Arctic coal affords a good illustration. 



* Percy's Metallurgy, Fuel, &c, p. 336. 



t Ibid. 313. 



t Die 'Physiographic der Braunkohle. 



82-26 



6-52 



11-22 



