49 
These show that sulphur is present in coal very pure in 
appearance, in larger proportion than is usually supposed ; 
that it is very imperfectly got rid of in coking, and that it 
must in some specimens exist in other states than, as gener- 
ally supposed, as sulphur et of iron. It is Mr. "West's in- 
tention to repeat and extend his experiments before publishing 
the particulars. 
Mr. Leah begged to ask Mr. West whether, in his selec- 
tion of coals, he was particular in taking the top, bottom, or 
the middle of the strata ? 
Mr. West replied that with respect to the greater part of 
the coal he had no opportunity of making such a selection, 
but probably Mr. Leah, from an inspection of the specimens, 
which lay on the table, would be able to form some judg- 
ment. His great object was that the coal should contain no 
visible fragment of pyrites, however small, and so far as he 
could ensure it, the coal brought to him to be operated upon, 
should be an average of the strata from which it was taken. 
Mr. Leah observed it was pretty well ascertained that in 
beds of coal there were portions which contained considera- 
ably more or less of sulphur than others. The top bed, for 
instance, would contain more than the middle and bottom bed. 
As far as his experience went, there was a considerable differ- 
ence in the quality of different portions of the bed, but 
perhaps Mr. Hartop or Mr. Briggs could give the meeting 
more information on the subject. 
Mr. Hartop said he might not have understood Mr. 
West correctly, but if he had, he thought he was not correct 
in estimating the quantity of sulphur in the coke, to ascer- 
tain that in coal. There was one fact which he thought of 
considerable importance, namely, that the discussion of such 
questions at meetings like these brought into contact men of 
great practical experience and of scientific attainments, whose 
joint endeavours might not only prove of great benefit 
to science but to the interests of the public generally. 
