1020 
ME. PENGELLY ON THE LIGNITES AND. 
is, in form, a rude parallelogram, having its longest side, about 960 feet, in the direction 
from S. 75° E. to N. 75° W., whilst the shortest measures 340 feet, and has a bearing of 
N. 35° E. to S. 35° W.* Its greatest depth, at the western end, is nearly 100 feet. 
Subterranean excavations have been carried on very extensively, in various dkections, 
by means of tunnels opening out of the pit at its bottom. At present the working is 
confined to one tunnel, extending 190 fathoms, almost in a straight line, in the direction 
N. 65° W. from the western end of the pit. 
The lignite was formerly used in large quantities in an adjoining pottery; at present 
but little is employed there, and its use is almost entirely confined to the poorer cot- 
tagers of the immediate district. A very offensive sulphurous smell, which it emits 
diu’ing combustion, prevents its general domestic use. 
The refuse matter, consisting of clay and waste or valueless lignite, is lodged on the 
surface around the pit. Iron-pyrites occurs in it in considerable quantities ; and spon- 
taneous combustion is common in fresh refuse, especially after much rain. The fire is 
not generally visible near the surface in the day-time, but its presence is indicated by 
smoke and the very offensive odour previously mentioned. Cracks, having their sides 
lined with flowers of sulphur, cross the burning mass in various directions. Occasion- 
ally, crystals of sulphate of alumina are also formed. 
The attention of both the scientific and the commercial world has long been called to 
this deposit ; several accounts of it have been laid before various learned societies, and 
otherwise given to the world f. Many of these, besides descriptions of the characters 
* The bearings are in all cases magnetic when expressed, as above, with an appearance of numerical 
exactness. 
t The following is a list of the principal writers on the Bovey beds : — 
Eev. Dr. Jeeemiah Milles, in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. H. Part II. p. 534, &c., in 1760. 
INIr. KiEWAn', in his ‘ Elements of Mineralogy,’ vol. ii. p. 60, &c., published in 1794. 
Dr. Maton, in his ‘ Observations on the Western Counties of England,’ made in the years 1794 and 1796, 
vol. i. p. 106, &c. 
INIr. Hatchett, in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, vol. iv. p. 129, &c., in 1797. 
Mr. Beige, in his ‘ History and Description, Ancient and Modern, of the City of Exeter,’ p. 141, &c., 
published in 1802. 
hlr. Paekiksoh and Mr. Scammeel, in Paekinsoh’s ‘ Organic Eemains,’ vol. i. p. 104, &c., in 1804. 
IMr. Hatchett, in the Philosophical Transactions, vol. for 1804, Part I. p. 396, &c. 
Mr. YAJS'coxrvEE, in his ‘Agriculture of the County of Devon,’ p. 70, &c., published in 1808. 
Dr. J. M'^Chlloch, in the Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st Series, vol. ii. p. 1, &c., in 1814. 
Eev. D. Ltsohs, in ‘Magna Britannica,’ vol. vi., “Devonshire,” p. ccxlix, published in 1822. 
Eev. W. D. CoNTBEAEE and Mr. W. Phillips, in the ‘ Outhnes of the Geology of England and Wales,’ 
pp. 328 and 364, published in 1822. 
Mr. Kixgstox, in the ‘ Teignmouth Guide,’ vol. ii., published about 1832 or 1833. 
Mr. Godwin- Ahsteh, in the Transactions of the Geological Society, 2nd Series, vol. vi. part 2, p. 439, 
&<i., in 1834, and subsequently. 
Sir H. De la Beche, in his ‘ Eeport of Cornwall, Devon, &c.’ pp. 248, 255, 515, &c., in 1839. 
Mr. E. Vahx, in Quart. Journ. Chem. Soc., London, vol. i. p. 318, &c., in 1849. 
Dr. Hookee, in Quart. Joum. Geol. Soc. vol. xi. p. 566, &c., in 1855. 
Dr. Ceokeb, in Quart. Joum. Geol. Soc. vol. xii. p. 354, in 1856. 
