179 
its various stages, from anthracite to recently decayed wood 
or peat. The extremes would be far apart, but I think we 
should be able to ascend step by step from the most perfect 
mineral to the most recent form of Carbon. 
Coals from the vicinity of large faults should not be 
omitted. Then there are the cokes from the several varieties 
of coal. 
2. Ironstone. — In the same manner, we shall have a collec- 
tion of Ironstorfes and their matrices. A close examination 
of the modules of ironstone would in some instances afford us 
very beautiful crystals of Carbonate of iron, Sulphuret of 
copper, iron, lead, and zinc, and occasionally of quartz, or 
rock crystal ; and not only the ironstone in its raw state, but 
we should have a series of specimens of iron in all the 
stages of its manufacture, as pig iron, bar iron, steel, &c. ; 
the coke and coal used in smelting the iron, and the slags 
thrown off during the various processes that it undergoes. 
Nor would it be less interesting to have ancient iron and 
steel, aad slags, to compare with our recent manufacture. 
3. Lead. — Specimens of lead ore, and of its accompany- 
ing Minerals and Rocks. Lead in its several states of manu- 
facture. 
4. Copper. — Specimens of copper ore. For a com- 
plete collection of the ores of this metal we shall probably 
be indebted to some of our distant friends. 
5. The contents of the fissures of the throws in the Coal 
fields, and the nature of the accompanying rocks. — Sulphuret 
of lead, iron, copper, and zinc, are sometimes found in 
throws, accompanied by carbonate of lime. 
6. Salts, which are found in some coal mines, as sulphate 
of iron, sulphate of soda, &c. 
7. Building Materials. — Sandstones from all the known 
quarries of the district, with a short description of their pro- 
perties, and the use to which they are applied ; and if they 
