119 
its ascending order, an equally persistent stratum along the 
entire margin of our Coal-fields, and well known as giving 
origin to the important flagstone quarries of Green Moor, 
EUand Edge, North and Southowram, Clayton, Bradford, 
Armley, and Leeds. 
Having then obtained, in its ascending order, the continuous 
and important stratum of the Flag and Slate, we have what 
may be accepted as a higher and substituted base, for the Coal- 
measures proper of the West Riding Field. Below the Flag- 
stone, as we have already seen, there exists only the two 
Halifax beds of workable coal. All our mineral deposits of 
any real commercial importance are, therefore, subsequent in 
date, and are super-imposed upon the Flag-stone stratum. 
Taking the southern district, separated by our imaginary line 
of division, we find the Whin Moor Coal the first in order, 
and after that the Silkstone, which is followed in turn by the 
Park Gate, Flockton, Swallow Wood and other seams, which 
lie between the Silkstone and Barnsley beds. In the !N^orth- 
ern District, we find the Flag- stone is first overlaid by the 
two important seams, known as the Low Moor Better and 
Black Bed Coals ; these are followed in order, by the several 
beds characteristic of the Gildersome, Morley and Dews- 
bur}" fields ; and it is amongst these, that the identity of 
the true Silkstone seam is to be traced. This, doubtless, 
will soon be accomplished, and so by the rapid spread of 
colliery workings in the district, the identity will be made 
complete. 
In connection with the extent of our Coal-field, it is 
essential that I should direct attention to, and put on record, 
tlie rapid strides by which our experience has been advanced 
in the past two or three years. In this period of time, 
a totally unprecedented amount of capital and enterprise 
have been attracted to the South Yorkshire district, and in 
the area of coal leased, and number of new collieries estab- 
