130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION. 
II.— The Montserrat Coal. 
[This paper consists essentially of the analytical report on the 
qualities of the Montserrat coal, furnished to J. E. CIPRIANI, Esq., 
Mayor of Portofspain, on whose estate the deposit occurs.] 
Physical Characters . — The coal is hard, compact and 
somewhat brittle, but does not easily pulverise. The 
fracture is bright and irregular, and sometimes conchoidal. 
Small quantities of earthy matters and pyrites frequently 
occur between the layers. 
The coal readily ignites under the action of the blow-pipe 
and burns with much flame and smoke, but with slight 
intumescence and little caking. The burning fragments 
retain their shape until converted to ash. The ash is red- 
grey in colour, and does not fuse. The coal powder is black, 
with a brownish tinge, and communicates a light yellow 
colour to caustic potash solution. 
Specific gravity of coal 1*2874 
Weight of cubic foot 80*44 lbs. 
Space occupied by solid ton 27*84 cub. ft. 
Probable stowage space required for ton of loose 
coal 41*29 „ 
The proximate analysis of the coal gave the following 
percentage results : — 
Volatile Portion — 
Water 
Hydro-carbons 
Fixed Portion — 
Ash 
Coke 
3*666 
47*188 
7*468 
41*678 
100*000 
