16

1.—7

interest. They have been analyzed in my laboratory by C. Tookey. Combustion was effected in a current of oxygen, and desiccation between 100° C. and 110° C. The results are as follow :— Composition per cent. i. ir. in. iv. Carbon ... ... 6013 6953 5738 5619 Hydrogen ... ... 414 536 374 414 Oxygen and nitrogen ... 1077 15-22 17'50 1739 Sulphur ... ... 236 055 068 223 Ash ... ... ... 210 3'44 390 2-40 Water ... ... 2050 5-90 16-80 17-65 100-00 10000 10000 10000 Composition per cent., exclusive of Sulphur, Ash, and Water. I. II. III. IT. Carbon ... ... 8026 7716 7298 72-29 Hydrogen ... ... 552 595 476 533 Oxygen and nitrogen ... 1422 1689 2226 2238 10000 10000 10000 10000 Coke, per cent. ... ... 4315 5400 51-80 44'95 i. —This lignite is black ; dull in fracture ; its powder is brown. "When heated in a close vessel, it yields a non-coherent coke. II. —This lignite is black and bright, like good bituminous coal; friable; even in fracture ; its powder is dark-brown. It scintillates much when held in a flame; and, when heated, it evolves an odour like petroleum, cakes, and yields a firm coherent coke. Colour" of the ash, red. in.—This lignite is black and compact; its fracture is conchoidal and smooth ; its powder is brown. It yields a non-coherent coke. iv.—This lignite is black and compact; its fracture is uneven and dull; its powder is brown. It yields a non-coherent coke. On inspecting the preceding analyses of Trinadid lignites, it will be observed that, with the exception of n., all contain a large proportion of hygroscopic water, a proportion far exceeding that which is found in any coals of the carboniferous system, n. presents an example of a so-called lignite which, in respect to physical characters and chemical composition, resembles bituminous coal of the carboniferous system. Lignite from New Zealand and from Tasmania. Lignites from Auckland, New Zealand, and from Tasmania, have been analyzed in mv laboratory by C. Tookey, with the following results: — Composition per cent. i. ii. Carbon ... ... ... ... ... 5557 5990 Hydrogen ... ... ... ... ... 4'13 466 Oxygen ... ... ... ... ... 1567 1599 Nitrogen ... ... ... ... ... 1-15 108 Sulphur ... ... ... ... ... 036 030 Ash ... ... ... ... ... 900 464 Water ... ... ... ... ... 1412 1343 100-00 10000 i.—From Auckland. This lignite is black ; dull in lustre ; its fracture is uneven, and more or less conchoidal; it shows distinct cleavage. Brown resin occurs diffused through this lignite in pieces varying in size from a pea to considerable masses. ii.—From Tasmania. This specimen was sent by the late Governor Denison. In physical characters this lignite is similar to the last described, and it also contains resin diffused in like manner through its substance. Accompanying the specimen of lignite from Tasmania was a piece of resin as large as the fist, which was more opaque, and less resembling ordinary varieties of amber in appearance, than that diffused through i. By the action of benzole a portion only dissolves, a gum-like insoluble mass being left, which retains the form and bulk of the original mass. The specimen was analyzed after having been dried between 110° and 120° C.; on combustion, the resin gave 81'60 per cent, of carbon and 11 06 of hydrogen.

APPENDIX B. Compressed Coal. 1. Are there several sorts ?—Yes, a great many. 2. Are they protected by patents, and, if so, will patents soon run out ?—They are protected by patents, some of which will soon run out. 3. Eelative bulk for stowing in vessels of good coal and compressed coal ?—One ton compressed coal occupies about 32 cubic feet, and one ton ordinary steam coal about 42 cubic feet; or 130 tons compressed coal can be stowed in the Bpace required for 100 tons ordinary coal.