from the Coal Measures of Torhane-hill. 
61 
a, coal, I understand is, that the one will burn, and that the other will 
not ? — The one will burn without the mixture of any extraneous matter. 
It will burn by itself ? — Yes. 
There are other distinctions ; but this is the distinction upon which you 
rested ? — Yes. 
You were going to tell us that there were a number of kinds of shales. 
Tell me some of these ? — There are some which are absolutely devoid of 
coaly matter — clay shales, which have no coal in them at all. 
Any other distinction ? — Yes ; there are shales which I should charac- 
terize as bituminous shales. 
How do they differ from coaly shales ? — They differ inasmuch as they 
give a bituminous smell when struck by the hammer; and they yield 
bitumen to chemical solvents. 
Do they burn ? — Yes, they burn in some cases. 
Where do you find most bituminous shales ? — You find them in Cam- 
bridge and in Dorsetshire, in the higher beds of the oolite. 
Do you find the Methil coal to be of a laminated and slaty structure ? — 
T found some fragments that were laminated ; but others present the 
conchoidal structure that you have in the Boghead, and is compost. 
The Boghead is compost ? — It is. 
Is the Methil coal so ? — It is generally so. 
But portions are slaty and laminated ? — Yes. 
Will you explain what infusoria are ? — I have not given any opinion as 
concerning infusoria. 
But you can give one ? — They are minute microscopic animals. 
AVhere are they found ? — I generally find them in water. 
Are they not to be found in minerals? — I have not found them in 
minerals. 
But are they not to be found in minerals ? — They are found in certain 
mineral beds, but I have not found them in mineral beds. 
Dr. William Aitken. — Examined hy Mr. Penkey. 
You made some sections of the Torbanehill mineral, and of some other 
coals ? — Yes. 
Were they for your own examination, or some that Dr. Greville drew ? 
— I did some, and also for my own. 
You got the returns from Torbanehill ? — I did. 
From the pit mouth ? — Yes. 
You made the sections fairly for the purpose of testing ? — Yes. 
Mr. Neaves then stated that they would not require to examine 
Mr. Glen, as his sections were also admitted. 
Having now read to you the evidence given by the micro- 
scopists on both sides of the question, I cannot refrain from 
making a few remarks on some of the statements of the 
defender's witnesses. The subject to me is a painful one, for 
it is always with feelings of regret that I venture to dififer in 
opinion from any scientific observer ; but, however contrary 
to my inclination, I have a public duty to perform, to say 
nothing of the character I have to sustain amongst you as 
a member of this society. I sincerely hope, however, that 
those gentlemen will take it all in good part, and believe that 
it is only for the reasons above assigned, and not from any 
