Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-06-08

Missouri ana Otller western OtntcS.
In general appearance this coal re-
semblcs that from Bellcvillc, III.
The analysis gives Fixed carbon 81
per cent; Volatile matter 80 per
cent /; Ashes 3 per cent.
This coal cokcs with a great
flame, without changing its form,
aud the development Of this valua-
bio mineral is destined to bo of the
greatest importance TO the State.
ANTHRACITE COAL,
Lighter and more brittle than the
anthracitcs of Pennsylvania, has
been found in various parts Of the
State, but | have had no opportuni-
ty to visit tho localities.
IINGITEs TERTIARY,
and other Goals of more recent Ori-
gin occupy an area Of some 10000
square milcs,-in connection with
the true coal fOrmation-on many
points of the Rio Grande, In Webb,
Atascosa and Frio counties. They
are mostly soft, sulphurous and
ashy, but superior to German
brown Goals.
AsPIIALTUM.
Asphaltum has been found in
Hardin, Travis, Burnct, Llano and
many other counties on Red river.
The earth for some distance around
certain acid springs is charged with
it, and may bo employed for the
purpose of illumination. For pave
ments, roofing and other uses, this
material is too wcll known to re-
quirc further mention.
GYPSUM.
In the northwestern portion OF
the State is the largest deposit of
gypsum known to exist in tho
world, spreading over two hundred
miles on tho upper Red river and
its tributaries. This will be of
great value as u fertilizer. Some OF
the specimens are rs Transparent: as
the purcst glass, easily split into
thin layers.
There are great many salt
springs and salt lakes in this for
nation. Salt is manufactured in
the great laboratory of Nature by
solar evaporation. Tho most i'm
portant locality producing almost
an incxhaustiblo amount of salt is
Sal DEL Rey, the greatest Salt Lake
in lIidalgo county, and at the
IIorschead cr,ssing in Pecos river,
Pecos county. The salt here is
ready formed, and need only be
shovclcd up and taken to market
The water is so strongly imprcgna-
ted that the human body cannot be
made to sink in it. The salt isvcry
pure and fit for table use, without
refining.
PETROLEUM SPRINGS
occur over II space OF about flfty
square yards in Hardin courtyard
it is highly probable that large sup
plies may be obtained by boring.
The surface indications are certainly
as favorable as those of the now IA
nous oil wells of Pennsylvania and
northern Ohio, prior to tho discov-
ry by deep boring.
EXTENSIVE QUARRIEs
OF marble, roofing slate, grindstone,
soaps.one and asbestos, with u large
class Of metallic substance usually
present in highly matallilerous re-
gions-such rs alum, cobalt, nicklc,
manganese, arsenic, &C., are abun-
dant.
WHAT Is WANTED.
In mineral wealth and natural
advantage Texas will compare IA
vorably with any other portion of
the United States. TO insure the
speedy development Of these resour-
ccs there must be q wider dcfusion
of knowledge as to the real charac,
ter of the country, and | am glad
to notice that The INDUSTRIAL AGE
is devoting a portion to this i'm
portant region, so soon to be III
communication with st. Louis
Texas needs enterprising capi' i'alists
as we'll as men of muscle, TO devcl
ope her mines, build railroads, erect
reduction works, furnaces, foun-
dries, rolling mills and manutac-
tories, of all kinds. With these
como skilled labor, churches,
schools and general progress in all
the useful arts.