Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 edition. Excerpt:...upon the burning of limestone, with the Rhode Island coal, and another upon the burning of brick, in the vicinity of Boston, were thought to be complete failures, because the heat was so intense, that the surface of the lime and of the bricks was vitrified; whereas the fact ought to have taught the experimenters, that a more careful regulation of the heat would ensure success. Indeed, I predict, that ere long, in nearly every case where a strong and steady heat is required, anthracite will be found superior to all other kinds of fuel; and that the anthracites of Rhode Island, Mansfield, and even that of Worcester, will be considered by posterity, if not by the present generation, as a treasure of great value. The Pennsylvania coal may indeed, for many years, command the market; but I apprehend, that the time will come, when the expenses of its transportation to the Eastern States, and the increasing demand for it, will lead to the re-opening of the pits, that are now abandoned in New England. In the sandstone in the vicinity of Connecticut river, anthracite has been found in very small quantities, at Turner's Falls in Gill, at the Southampton lead mine, whose adit penetrates this rock, and at Enfield in Connecticut. But this is probably bituminous coal, rendered anasphaltic by local causes. ', The geological character of the rocks containing the workable anthracite of Bristol County and of Rhode Island, is a point of no small importance. In my former reports I have regarded this rock as graywacke and graywacke slate; and have considered them older than those containing anthracite in Pennsylvania; while the rock embracing the Worcester anthracite is older than either. The characters of these rocks, as well as of the coal, form the basis of this...