294 
GEOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 
The first analysis (by Schaeffer) represents the coal at the Egypt shaft, 
the second by Prof. Johnson, the outcrop at Fannersville, and the third, 
by she same, the Wilcox seam. Wilkes says, in his report to the U. S. 
Government, “ The three upper seams of the bituminous coal are well 
adapted for fuel, cooking, gas and oil. It is a shining and clear coal, re- 
sembling the best specimens of Cumberland. It ignites easily and burns 
with a bright, clear combustion, and leaves a very little purplish grey 
ash. It swells and agglutinates, making a hollow fire.’’ “ It yields a 
shining and very porous coke, and is an excellent coal for making gas or 
for burning.” “ The dry or debituminized coal” exists in. “but small 
quantities in the basin,” and “ contains less than one quarter of the vol- 
atile matter that the bituminous coal contains.” 
The following analyses by Dr. Genth were made for the Survey, of 
specimens selected by myself three or four years ago from large heaps 
newly mined. 
Fixed Carbon, 
63.28 
70.4S 
Volatile Matter, 
25.74 
21.90 
Ash, 
10.14 
6.46 
Moisture, 
0.84 
1.16 
100.00 
100.00 
Sulphur, 
1.35 
1.02 
It will be seen that these are good coals ; they contain very small per- 
centage of sulphur, much less than many of the coals of Ohio and the 
West, which are largely used in the reduction of iron ores. The former 
analysis represents the Egypt coal and the latter that at the Gulf, the 
Gulf specimens being obtained within 15 feet of the surface. 
In regard to the value of the Chatham coal tor gas making, I have re- 
ceived the following testimony from the Messrs. Peters, ot Portsmouth, as 
to the result of a trial in the gas works of Norfolk and Portsmouth, ot a 
lot mined some three years ago : “ Their (the Superintendents ) reports 
are highly favorable to the Chatham coal, both as to the quality ot the 
gas produced and the quantity which a given amount of the coal yielded.” 
And Mr. C. S. Allman, President of the Norfolk Gas Works, says : 
Our Superintendent thinks it about equal to the best Clover Hill coal, 
giving of 14 candle gas, 3§ cubic feet per pound. I have no doubt that 
fresh mined lump would give much better results.” 
A sample of a thin seam of coal, which was struck last year in Anson 
county, in Boggan’s Cut, gave, on analysis, (by Hanna), 
