CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.-FIRE AND FUEL.

Fire-Its obvious properties-Corpuscular and undulating theories

-Sources of Fire-The Sun-Lightning-Chemical action-

Notices of the production of Fire by friction-Uses of Fire-

In connexion with Religion-For Culinary purposes-For pro-

moting personal comfort-In the operations of Metallurgy and

the Arts-Agents or Supporters of Combustion-Bituminous

and animal substances, or products-Dung and Sea-weed-

Peat, Wood, and Mineral Fuels

CHAPTER II.

GEOLOGICAL THEORIES.

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1

Interesting character of Geological Science-Extent of knowledge

required for successful investigation-Controversies and con-

flicting theories-Important connexion between Geology and

Revelation-Question of progressive developement of Species-

Hutton and Werner-Subterranean temperature-Paroxysmal

and Cataclysmal Eras of MM. Beaumont, Brongniart, and

Cuvier-Jameson's Remarks-Mineral and Mosaical Geologies

contrasted-Fairholme-Theory of Werner-Tabular view of

the positions of Strata-Formations-Gradation of Fossils of

vegetable origin..............................
... 17

CHAPTER III.

PEAT.

Early use of Peat for Fuel-Its abundance in various countries—

Hypothesis of the discovery of its inflammable nature-Notices

of the knowledge and application of Peat in ancient times-

Theories of the origin of Turf deposits-Various opinions and

testimonials concerning the bituminization of Vegetable Matter

-Plants which chiefly enter into the composition of Peat bogs-

Irish and Scotch bog mosses-Extraneous remains found in

Peat bogs-Analogy between the depositions of some stratified

turbaries and the Coal formation-Method of digging and

b

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preparing Peat in Ireland-Varieties of Peat-Old practice of

charring Turf-Popular prejudices in favour of Peat Fuel...... 40

CHAPTER IV.

NATURAL HISTORY OF COAL.

Nature and origin of Coal-Different opinions which have been

entertained on that subject-Hypothetical queries answered—

Inferences and illustrations of the vegetable origin of Coal-

Chemical investigations of Mr. Hatchett-Three conditions of

Fossil Fuel; submerged forests, lignites or bituminized wood,

and true Coal-Description of the Bovey Coal formation-Sup-

posed state of the atmosphere at the period when the Coal

Vegetables flourished-Remarks on the prodigious supply of

materials-Forests and drift wood- Have the vegetable matters

forming the Coal strata been floated from a distance, or did

they originally grow in situations near to those places where, in

their changed condition, they are now found ?-Causes which

may have operated in effecting the bituminization of the Coal

plants-Opinions of Mr. Penn and others-Supposed peaty

origin of Coal-Anthracite.........

CHAPTER V.

ORGANIC REMAINS.

Opinions of the Ancients concerning Organic Remains-Equi-

vocal generation-Operation of plastic and forming energies-

Conditions of vegetable remains-Families of plants existing at

the period when the Coal beds were deposited-Plants of the

upper Coal-Cycadiform fronds-Ligneous fossils of the true

Coal formation-Mr. Witham's observations-Modifying causes

of the variety of casts of stems discovered in different substances

-Figures and descriptions-Microscopical examination of the

minute structure of fossil bodies-Probability that trees of the

more complicated woody structure, as well as the merely vascular

and cellular kinds, existed at the period of the Coal formation—

Fossil fishes-Muscles-Question of toads found alive in the

Coal rocks-Hutton's observations on the traces of existing

vegetable tissues in the perfect kinds of Coal..........................

CHAPTER VI.

THE COAL FORMATION.

Review of the arrangement of carboniferous strata, as forming

Coal fields, Coal basins, and Coal measures-Arrowsmith's

Map of the Coal districts-Somersetshire Coal field-South

Gloucestershire or Bristol Coal field-Forest of Dean-South

Welsh Coal field-Shropshire field-South Staffordshire and

Warwickshire-North Staffordshire-North Wales--Lancashire

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85

Coal field-Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire Coal

fields-Whitehaven Coal field -Northumberland and Durham

-Unexplored localities in England-Scotch Coal fields-

Ayrshire-Paisley-Lanarkshire - East Lothian - Culross-

Irish Coal fields-Districts of Leinster, Munster, Connaught,

and Ulster-Description of a Coal basin-Somersetshire and

South Welsh basins-Mantle, and inverted basin shapes-

Swilleys or small basins.

CHAPTER VII.

COAL MEASURES.

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Meaning of the terms "Coal Measures"-Arrangement, contor-

tions, and dislocations of strata-Vertical section of a deep pit

near Newcastle-Tabular view of substances passed through-

Gosforth colliery-Depth of the High Main Seam at Jarrow-

Sections of Mines at Dudley and Bilston-Inequality in the

thickness of matter occurring between certain Coal seams-

Tabular view of strata at Whitehaven-Synopsis of Coal

measures at Ashby-de-la-Zouch-Staffordshire, Lancashire,

Derbyshire, and Yorkshire Coal fields-Sheffield-Section at

Halifax-Notices of the Coal strata in South Wales, Scotland,

and Ireland-Occurrence of iron ores in the Coal formation... 129

CHAPTER VIII.

DISLOCATIONS OF STRATA.

Common occurrence of fissured strata-Longmire's theory of veins,

dykes, rents, slips, &c.-How characterised-Up-throw and

down-throw dykes-Section of fractured Coal measures at Jar-

row-Enormous disturbances produced by faults-Great trap

dyke of Yorkshire and Durham-The ninety-fathom dyke of

Northumberland-The seventy-yards Whin dyke-The "great

Derbyshire denudation" of Farey-Non-conformity of overlying

and subjacent masses-Supposed igneous origin of trap or

basaltic dykes-Advantages of those dislocations misnamed

"faults"-Professor Buckland's observations................................................................ 157

CHAPTER IX.

BORING AND SINKING.

Relative Views of the Miner and the Geologist in searching for

Coal-Extent and localities of carboniferous strata mostly

ascertained-Superficial indications of Coal-Examination by

boring-Description of boring apparatus-Interesting nature of

the search after mineral treasures-Sizes of pits-Windlass

used in commencement of sinking-Walling inside the shaft-

Tubbing-Blasting with gunpowder-Description of the horse

gin-Expensiveness of sinking deep pits-Pemberton's shaft at

Monkwearmouth-Adits or drifts........

CHAPTER X.

WORKING MACHINERY.

Drawing and air shafts-Importance of Ventilation-Draining the

Mine-Bearing of Strata-Early contrivances for raising the

water-Bucket wheels-Steam-engine--Boulton and Watt-

Pumping apparatus-Subterranean Steam-engines-Deep Pits

divided by Bratticing-Head Gear-Whimsey-Steam-engine

and counterpoise-Hydraulic Machinery for raising Coals-

Corves, Trams, Buckets, and Waggons-Screen-Entrance to

Pits by Canals and Footrails

CHAPTER XI.

UNDERGROUND WORKS AND VENTILATION.

Methods of Carrying out the Underground Excavations of a Col-

liery-Broad and Long Work-Roads, Benks, and Gates-

Plan of a Staffordshire Colliery-Ventilation-Theory of the

Circulation of Atmospheric Air-Downcast and Upcast Shafts-

Furnace-Simple and Compound Ventilation-Other contri-

vances-Description of Felling Colliery, Durham-Extensive

and orderly arrangements-Fire Damp and Choke Damp-

Scheme of Ventilation proposed by Mr. Menzies-Blowers or

jets of Inflammable Gas-How got rid of .....

CHAPTER XII.

GETTING THE COAL.

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211

Ideas of unpleasantness and danger associated with Coal Pits in

general-Few persons like to descend to inspect the subterra-

nean workings-An interesting sight to the Visitor-Impressions

experienced in traversing the deep tiery mines about New-

castle-Plan of removing the pillars which support the roof-

Crushes or creeps-Working crept Coal-Appearance of the

Pitmen underground-Steel mill-Use of Horses-Anecdote-

Employment of Females-Implements used by the Collier-

Fractures of the Coal-Backs, cutters, and partings-Method of

breaking down the Live Coal-Attempts at the introduction of

Machinery
232

CHAPTER XIII.

UNDERGROUND ACCIDENTS.

Various dangers to which the Collier is exposed-Falling of

matters from the roof of the Mine-Cauldron bottoms, bell

moulds, and bleas-Irruptions of Water-Instances of Flooding

-Occurrence of Subterranean Fires from natural, accidental,

and wilful Causes-Explosions from Inflammable Gas-Dread-

ful Accident at Felling Colliery-Details of the Catastrophe-

Fire Damp and Choke Damp .

CHAPTER XIV.

THE SAFETY LAMP.

247

Circumstances which led to the formation of a Society for Pre-

venting Accidents in Collieries-Application to Sir Humphrey

Davy-Chemical Composition of the inflammable Gas of the

Mines-Will not explode in small Tubes, nor from contact with

red-hot Iron or Charcoal-First Safe Lantern-Wire-Gauze

Cage-Description of the Common Safety Lamp-Testimonials

of respect to Sir H. Davy-Opinions of Mr. Buddle and Mr.

Fenwick in favour of the "Davy"-Petition of the Stafford-

shire Colliers-Circumstances under which Explosions have

taken place in connexion with the Davy Lamp............................................................... 268

CHAPTER XV.

THE COLLIERS.

Pitmen possess distinct Characteristics-Working in the Mines an

ancient penal employment-Intelligence of Colliers, and Indi-

viduals who have risen into notice from among them-Morals,

Recreations and Tastes-Wages-Dwellings and Habits of the

Pitmen about Newcastle-Denominations of Overseers and

Workmen-Undertakers of Coal Pits in Staffordshire-The Col-

liers-Instance of their mode of exciting Charity-Misunder-

standings between the Tyne Pitmen and their Masters-Com-

binations-A" Stick" or Strike-Injurious consequences of the

Disputes-Murder of a Magistrate-Gibbet on Jarrow Slake... 286

CHAPTER XVI.

THE COAL TRADE.

Fossil Coal little if at all known to the nations of Antiquity-

Mentioned by Theophrastus-Supposed to have been used by

the Ancient Britons-Old Cinder Heaps-Coal mentioned by

Saxon Authors-Extract from the "Bolden Book"-Charter to

the Inhabitants of Newcastle to dig Coals-Sea Coal-Evidence

of Early Modes of Working-Hostemen-Earliest Notice of

Exportation of Coals-Charitable Donations of Coals-For-

merly burned along with Wood-Early states of the Coal Trade

-Richmond Shilling-Complaints of the decrease and waste of

Fire-wood-Historical Notice of the Introduction of Pit Coal

into common use-Evelyn's Lamentation on the Decay of

Forests Coincidence in the Deposits of Coal and Ironstone-