188 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



Coal, approaching to the quality of the Ilopeweli coalj, 

 has for many years been dug in Trough valley, which 

 leads into the Raystown branch, fourteen miles from 

 Huntingdon. This is not so good: contains salphuret of 

 iron; does not break into lustrous flakes like the Hope- 

 well coal. With a blast, as in a smith's forge, it will 

 yield smoke and flame, and even forms an inferior coke. 



There are points around the north part of Broad Top 

 mountain where coal is obtained ; but the quality is not 

 held in any estimation. I examined some of this coal in 

 February 1831 and in October 1833, and found it earthy, 

 sulphurous, and difficult of ignition. It was formerly in 

 occasional use among the blacksmiths, before the facili- 

 ties of procuring the better kinds of bituminous coal from 

 the other side the Alleghany mountain were estab- 

 lished. 



It seems therefore that the quality of the Broad Top 

 mountain coal depreciates as it advances northward. It 

 does not appear that any of these veins cross the Juniata, 

 or even reach its banks. At present no decided vein 

 of workable coal has been proved between the Juniata 

 and the Susquehanna, a circumstance which is singular ; 

 because, in a geological sense, I know no cause for the 

 absence of carbonaceous deposits within that extensive 

 area; and have reasons, which acquire strength with 

 renewed observations in that quarter, for conceiving that 

 they will ultimately be found there. 



It must not be overlooked that within the last year 

 researches have been made with some perseverance by 

 Dr Martin, in Perry county, near the southern extremity 

 of the region to which I refcr^ on the west side of the 

 Susquehanna and nine miles above the confluence of the 

 Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, in a prolongation of 

 Berry's mountain which forms the southern boundary of 

 Lyken's valley. 



This coal occurs with the usual carboniferous depo- 



