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Page 112 



There can be no doubt of the existence in the Caroni car- 

 bonaceous series (Miocene J and its equivalents both to the 

 north and to the south of the central ranges of extensive 

 deposits of tertiary coal which will sooner or later be of much 

 value to the island. The seam which is the subject of this 

 paper is not at present worked to a greater depth than eight 

 or ten feet, owing to the influx of water, which cannot 

 easily be drained off, but would require engine power if the 

 pits are carried much deeper. Moreover, the clays cave 

 in, and would require appliances such as are generally used 

 in mining operations to keep the pits open. But as the seam 

 runs into the hill a greater depth of it will at every step be 

 available without serious hindrance from water, provided 

 proper means be used to prop the working and prevent 

 caving in. 



Want of time and opportunity prevents me at present from 

 following up this subject more closely, but I trust hereafter 

 to be able to pay some attention to it. 



I have seen specimens of coal from other seams in the 

 Montserrat district, which, owing to their less friable nature, 

 will probably prove to be of higher value. The Williamsville 

 coal may prove useful for making gas, and also for smithy 

 purposes ; but to be adapted for general purposes without 

 waste it would have to be manufactured into a form similar 

 to the so-called "patent fuel." In any case, however, the 

 precise value of the article must be determined by experi- 

 ment, for it is difficult to pronounce upon its exact qualities 

 by inspection only. A reference to the geological map will 

 show that the existence in the neighborhood of the Guara- 

 cara of deposits of asphalt and petroleum has already been 

 indicated ; and some recent discoveries of glance asphaltum 



