The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-10-27
How 1.onIMas Forrnc.I.

How Coal was Formed.
AT Suaitsville we are near the mid
die Of the western edge of what is
known as the "Pitts6urg coal field, "
probably the richest and most extensive
known, extending, as they do, over
very considerable portion Of several
States, but varying so much i'll thick
ness and number Of veins, and quality,
and composition as to scarcely justify
classification under one general head.
The same vein will be scarce y thick
enough to be distinguiohable from the
coal blossom" in some localities, while
in others il is solid rock-like mass Of
many feet il thickness, In quality and
composition the same vein varies from
mixed mass Of carbon, sulphur, slate
and iron, up to almost chemically pure
coal. The scientific account Of the
formation of these coal beds and veins
which appears at ones the most plausi-
BILE and best, because, perhaps, il Is the
one generally accepted by The scientific
world, is somewhat as follows The
earth, after passing through the gaseous
and liquid Into the solid state, had
coaled to a degree sufficient TO allow
the vapors floating in the atmosphere
to assume the form of water. This
water, in sweeping down the bills, wore
from the rocks, soil producing material,
and washed it down into the bottoms.
In times a luxurious vegetation sprang
up whenever the water was not too
deep. The atmosphere at this period
was highly charged with carbon, in the
form of gas. This gas was absorbed
and retained by the vegetables, until
they became too heavy to stand. AS
they fell and sunk beneath the waters,
others took their place, absorbed the
carbon and fell. Thus this process
continued until thick mass Of yegeta-
Bile matter filed the bottoms of the
swamps. In the meantime, the action
of the wind and wave would tend to
drift this mass in some places, leaving
others uncovered. Also, as in our day
we find heavy growths of weeds, bushes
and stones near the margins, while The
central Or deeper portions ofthe swamp'
or lakes present watery expanse
broken only here and there by clump
of trees and weeds growing where tn,
bottom, island-like, approaches nea
the surface.
1t follows, that even where this de
bris OF gigantic weeds not drifted to
gether, that the deposits would natu
rally be thicker near the shore, AM
hence we find, as a fact, that the out
crop or margins of coal-feds are gen
orally thlckest and best.
During this age, when the atmos
phere was 50 highly charged with car
bon and otner poisonous gasses, as t
allow only the simplest forms of yeget
able, while no animal could be sustain
ed, even the lower species of life mus
hover near the water in the swamps, q
all the surrounding surface was bleak
barren rocky wastes.
AS the process of cooling and cor
densation of yapors continued, tn
water in the swamps became too dee
for the further growth of ferns, the
original starting place, and hence, {
the water rose and Overspread the lanC
vegetation followed, Meantime, sed
ments from the hills washed into III
swamps, filling them, just as the mu
now rolls down with the waters Of til
Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico.
Thus the first growths became thick
embedded beneath this sediment, ,whic
gradually hardened into rock, aud b
its weight pressed together aud COZ
densed, while its close texture scale
up this vegetable matter, with its rc
load OF carbon, like fruit in n can, lo
future use.
As the heat was thrown of int
space, the eaAth's surface underweI
vast change, causing tho bills to sink
and low places to elevate, so that
happened that the sealed up mass, wit
its coverings, were raised from th
depths, 80 near the surface Of tho water
as to permit new crop of ferns t
grow aud assist in absorbing carbol
from the atmosphere. A rapid depos
of sediments would also produce tn
same result Then would follow agli
the growth, accumulation and sealing
up ola new deposit Of coal producin
material. Thus we find following III
outcropping of coal and rock, veins q
coal alternating with layers ofrock, an
minerals which, in many features sho,
unmistakable evidence of having bee
formed in the water, and acted upon b
that most powerful Of agencies. --H@
cock Courier,