from the Coal Measures of Torhane-hill. 
49 
I understand, Doctor, when you say perfectly structureless, that there 
was no organization ? — No organization ; they have form. 
No trace of vegetable origin ? — None. 
Nor the coal ash ? — In the coal ash examined under water, I found 
abundant remains of vegetable structure, examined in the same way. 
Woody tissues in the coal ? — Yes. 
Did you conduct your investigation of the ash of the Torbanehill 
mineral and of the coal both in direct and transmitted lights ? — By both. 
And with the results which you have described ? — Yes. 
Were they the best, most approved instruments ? — They were. I have 
used various instruments of all kinds, but I have used the best and most 
recent construction. 
What were those ? — Those were prepared by two of the most eminent 
London opticians, Mr. Boss and the firm of Smith and Beck. 
What conclusion do you arrive at in regard to this Torbanehill mineral, 
keeping in view your investigation of the sections, of the powder, and of 
the ash ?— That the two substances are totally dissimilar. 
That the Torbanehill is a different substance from any coal with 
which you are acquainted ? — Yes. 
Cross-examined hy Mr. Neaves, — Are you in practice in Glasgow as a 
physician ? — I am. 
Have you marked the magnifying power of the instruments used on 
those specimens ? — I have. 
When did you first see this mineral ? — I think on 15th January last 
year. 
Had you never seen it before ? — Never to my knowledge. 
You had previously been in the habit of examining coals ? — I had. 
And had seen all the cannel coals ? — Not then. I have since examined 
them. 
What coal had you seen when in the practice of examining before ? — ■ 
Chiefly domestic coal. 
For many years ? — For several years. 
With any particular view ? — None. 
The body and ash of domestic coal ? — ^Yes. 
You always see the woody structure in the ash ? — Always ; I have 
never failed. 
And in the coal ? — Do you mean the sections ? 
Yes. — I have never met with a piece of coal that had not those 
appearances. 
Do you give it a name ? — I call it a fibrous section, from appearing like 
a bundle of fibres in one direction. I give it longitudinally, because it 
gives me the idea of length, and annular, that is, composed of rings, 
when seen in a cross cut with a longitudinal. 
But are equally distinct in the same coal always? — Not equally 
distinct. 
Not equally distinct in all coals nor in the same coal ? — No, but remain 
always distinct in every coal. 
Re-examined hy Mr. Macfarlane. — Have you been at Torbanehill? — Yes. 
And made specimens ? — Yes. 
Did you examine from those specimens ? — Yes. 
Fair or average specimens of the mineral ? — I took them just as they 
were raised from the pit, and examined them from the centre, outside, 
and every way I could possibly conceive. 
Your observations have been more recently directed to cannel coal ? — 
Yes. 
Can you give me the names ? — I believe I have examined about forty or 
