IMPERIAL COAL WORKS OF USPENSK. 
107 
cured in the very productive north-eastern angle of the field, with an account of 
which we shall terminate our observations. 
Imperial Coal-works of Uspensk. — Having, we conceive, sufficiently explained 
our general views concerning the districts in which coal has been a little worked, 
it does not accord with our object to enter into details, or to cite many localities 
where the outcrop of the mineral is known, all of which we leave to Russian engi- 
neers. We, therefore, proceed to describe the north-eastern angle of this coal 
tract, to which the attention of the Imperial Government has been most directed, 
because it has afforded the greatest quantity and best quality of fuel. This coal is 
not only used in the adjacent foundries of Lugan, but is transported by the river 
Donetz (navigable in the spring and early summer season) to the mouth of the 
Don and Sea of Azof. 
In the same manner as upon the Lower Donetz and the Krinka, where we first 
noticed the existence of anticlinal and synclinal lines, the whole of the northern 
districts may be said to be split up upon numerous lines of dislocation, trending 
for the most part from west-north-west to east-south-east, and often producing 
great folds and repetitions in the strata. 
Thus, in passing from south to north over dome-shaped masses of grit, to which 
we have before adverted as lying to the north of Ivanofka, and in which hard 
grey grits and sandstones are sometimes prevalent, the observer who descends into 
the valley of the little river Alkovaia is struck with the violent breaks and highly 
inclined positions of the strata. 
It was the natural outcrop of beds of good coal on the northern sides of this 
valley which originally induced the Russians to establish works here, the first 
shafts having been sunk about forty years ago by the Scottish miner Gascoigne, 
whose name has acquired a permanent place in Russian history, as having explored 
some of their earliest sites of iron-ore and coal, and established many of their 
great iron-foundries. Employing a small company of his countrymen, Gascoigne 
first opened the coal-pits of Uspensk, of which we are now speaking, and next 
those of Lissitchia-Balka, to be described in the sequel ; and though no English 
workman now remains, it is worthy of remark that the insular names of main, splent, 
cherry, &c., by which the different seams were first distinguished, from their re- 
semblance to certain English coals, are still preserved, and now form part of the 
vocabulary of the Russian miners. 
At Uspensk, which is situated to the east of the foundries of Lugan, eleven 
