Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-24
On the Quality of Coal and it's Value
---The Coal Fields of Indiana, etc.

BY permission of the State Agricultural Board
of Indiana, We are enabled to present our readers
an extract from the manuscript of the recent
geological report on Indiana, by Leo Lesquereux
Esq, not yet published.
This extract which treats of the quality of
coal and the deposits of coal OIL will be found to
be of practical interest, for coal is one of the
treasures of geology and one Of the staples OF
commerce. To the mysteries of its chemistry,
too, the attention of scientific minds has been
especially drawn since the oil wells of Pennsyl-
vania have supplied a new lubricatOr for machin-
cry and new illuminator for general use.
Thus nature, one by one, unseals, her secrets
hidden in the earth, and her hand maid, science.
following in the wake of discovery, demonstrates
the wisdom of Providence in the coincidence
which marks the pressure of want in the
ket and the introduction OF new agent in the
economy OF the arts and the household. As the
forests disappear coal beds uncovered, and as
the whale deserts the seas carbon yields its oil in
substitution.
In these gradatiens and mutations, in this ex-
haustion and replenishment which make up the
physical changes that mark eras and nations
and the spans of individual life, the states
man, the philosopher the votary and the student
OF science, the historian, the artist the engineer
the jurist and the merehant-all these, and more,
have themes wherewith to employ thought and con
sumo time, reaping and gathering knowledge in a
harvest bounded only by eternity. In these walks
all men may be useful, though as n sequence all
can not compass equal distinction; for it
is given that men shall differ in measure of ex-
altation, chance sometimes doing for one what
merit sometimes fails to do for another; intellect.
however, always the brightest light, though it
may not always achieve the amplest reward.
In his field, fossil fora, the geology of the
coal beds, etc, etc, Mr.. Lesquereux has acquired
a reputation which has been acknowledged and ap-
preciated in the works Of eminent geologsts and
by other scientific writers. Hence to a result OF
his labor anywhere in the shell of the earth, there
are always expectant eyes to peruse his record
And with these desultory observations we intro
duee the extract OF his Indian report.
on THE QUALITY OF COAL AND IT'S VALUE.
tFrOn the state Geological Report Of Indiana, by l.
n. Lesquereux.
The Western coal-felds have only btuminou
and camel coals Bituminous coal is fat or drv
according to the greater or quantity ofbitumeI
, which it contains. This quantity varies from teI
to forty per cent.
fat coal burns with dark yellow fame
emitting thick, black, strongly scented smoke
and generally runs and coalesces like melte,
| metal. 1t is then caking coal Toburn freely
it wants to be stirred or needs the action of tn
= bellows. 1t is thus good for blacksmithing bu
not so desirable for the crate. and still less TO
: steamboats, or the furnaces of engines. For thi
/ last use dry coal is preferable
) According to its compactness and crystalliza
4 ton, dry coal becomes cherry coal or splint Goa
Ii readily burns without agelutnation of its frae
\ ments, emits less smoke, gives a light yellOI
a fame, but has often in its compounds a larg
e amount of earthly and mineral Sulphur and iron
Y matter, producing much cinders.
e Camel coal is generally of dark brown or
y velvet-black color, very compact, OF fine he
q mOgeneous texture with smooth, glossy cOnrl
e oidaI fractures, sometimes susceptible OF fin
e polish. and resembling jet 1t contains gres
II proportion of bitumen, and burns with ligl
e flame, like candle. 1t is now used mostly
e the manufacture of coal oil, by distillation
e its bitumen. When used for the crate or for Il
:. furnaces, it is generally mixed with dry coal,
IF sr.other, to some extent, the flame, whiC
e would otherwise become too intense and DANCE
Gus.
) An exact classification of the different speci
rt of coal is impossible The chemical compoun