GEOLOGY—COAL FROM CAPE FLATTERY AND SANTA CLARA. 
67 
It is regarded as very similar in its character to that of Bellingham hay, and commands about 
the same price. 
COAL FROM CAPE FLATTERY. 
This coal I have marked as coming from Cape Flattery, that being the nearest point to the 
locality from which it is derived, whose position is generally known. It is, in fact, obtained 
some 25 miles lower down on the coast. I owe to the kindness of Lieut. Trowbridge, U. S. A., 
the specimens which I have of this coal, and also whatever information I possess in reference to 
its geological position. It occurs associated with similar shales and sandstones to those which 
enclose the coal of Bellingham bay, and is doubtless of the same age. From what I have been 
able to learn of the geology of this part of the coast, it seems probable that the tertiary strata 
of Bellingham bay extend continuously, or with but local interruptions, to the Columbia. 
The character of the Cape Flattery coal is similar in all respects to that of Coose bay, and 
hand specimens from the two localities are undistinguishable. Its chemical composition is also 
nearly identical, and whatever has been said of the character or value of the former is equally 
applicable to the latter. Its chemical composition is as follows: 
Fixed carbon. 46.40 
Volatile matter. 50.97 
Ashes.. 2.63 
100.00 
COAL FROM SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA. 
This coal, or lignite, occurs 12 miles back from Santa Clara, and is said to form a stratum 3 
feet in thickness, and is overlaid by a sandstone containing marine shells. In the small speci¬ 
mens of this rock which were given me by Lieut. Trowbridge, but a single species of fossil shell 
is distinguishable, though this is represented by considerable numbers. This shell is that of a 
gasteropodous mollusc, and a type of a new genus, described by Mr. Conrad under the name of 
Schizojoyga, and figured in this report, plate 1, fig. 1. The coal, or rather lignite, from this 
locality exhibits some variety in appearance and purity ; some of it showing very plainly the 
structure of the wood from which it has been formed, while other portions resemble a consoli¬ 
dated carbonaceous mud, and contain a large proportion of earthy matter. No analysis has 
been made of it; but while the better portions closely resemble the coal of Coose bay, it is 
evident that, as a whole, it is decidedly inferior as a fuel to the coal from that locality. 
Aside from the coals I have mentioned, there are annually sold in the San Francisco market 
many cargoes from Chile, Australia, and the eastern United States. Of these, the anthracite and 
semi-bituminous coals from the eastern States are much preferred, and always command a higher 
price. The price of anthracite coal during my stay in the city varied from $37 to $40 per ton, 
while that from Chile and Australia ranged from $25 to $27. 
The Chilean coal, of which I saw large quantities, was all derived from the Lota mine ; of 
which the coal has been carefully examined, and an analysis published (in the report of the Naval 
Astronomical Expedition, vol. II, page 105,) by Professor J. L. Smith. I was much interested 
in noting the very evident similarity which exists between the Chilean coal and that of the 
northwestern coast. It apparently belongs to the same geological epoch, and indicates the 
