COAL-FIELD OF CLACKMANNANSHIRE. 151 



from the perpendicular direction, assume the trough 

 form in the Valley of the Esk, and there rise to the 

 surface along the side of the rising ground which 

 stretches east and west from Dalkeith. These coals 

 rise there at the rate of one in three, and in their qua- 

 lity and thickness have a strong resemblance to the 

 edge-coals upon the north side of the valley. The 

 flat seams presently working in the middle of the 

 valley, have a very moderate rise of from 1 in 7 to 

 1 in 10, and are of a superior quality compared with 

 the edge-seams. They appear to be a distinct for- 

 mation or upfilling of the deep trough formed as be- 

 fore mentioned by the edge-coals ; and I have no 

 doubt, that this trough sweeps round at both extre- 

 mities, and forms a long elliptical bason. Fig. 6. 

 Plate V., represents the ideas I have formed of 

 this coal-field. The lines at A and at B, represent 

 the coals ascertained to a certain depth. The dotted 

 lines in continuation, are the supposed direction of 

 the coals forming the bason shape ; but the edge- 

 coals may be formed by a slip or dislocation, as is 

 the case with the Quarrelton Coal, at the slip B, 

 Fig. 2. Plate VII. 



From what has been thus stated, and from the 

 sections and plans exhibited in elucidation of the 

 subject in hand, we may legitimately conclude, that 

 all the coal-fields in Great Britain, of the indepen- 

 dent coal formation, are of the bason shape, or are 

 segments of that form : That all beds of coals, and 



