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X.—An Investigation into the Structure of the Torbanehill Mineral, and of various kinds of Coal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2013

John Hughes Bennett
John Hughes Bennett
Affiliation:
Professor of the Institutes of Medicine in the University of Edinburgh.
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Extract

The investigation of which I am now about to give an account, was undertaken with the view of determining whether the structure of the Torbanehill mineral was similar to or unlike that of coal. I was aware that the subject would be brought before a court of law, and that many scientific persons of great eminence had already spent much time in the inquiry. With the understanding, therefore, that my evidence, should it be required, was to be limited to the structure of coal and of the mineral in question, I gave directions to Mr Bryson, the optician, of this city, to make thin sections of attested specimens of various coals and of the mineral, conceiving that a careful examination of them would easily determine the point. It was soon apparent, however, that a far more extended series of researches was necessary than I at first anticipated; but as it was also evident, from the marked structural differences which were observed in the sections, that the investigation would not be destitute of positive results, I determined on pursuing it to a conclusion.

Type
Transactions
Information
Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , 1857 , pp. 173 - 185
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1857

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References

page 177 note * In reference to this point, I have carefully examined transverse and longitudinal sections of the following household and cannel coals, namely,—Buccleuch, or Dalkeith; Zetland; Newcastle; Wallsend; Jordan Hill; Knightswood; Arniston; Sheepmount; Drumfillan; Cowdenhill; Barton Hill; Eastfield, Glasgow; Stonilaw, Glasgow; Gartnavel, Glasgow; Claycross; Lesmahagow; Wemyss; Lochgelly; Capeldrae; Wigan; Civility Pit; Huddersfield; Bredisholm; Black Methil; and Brown Methil.

page 178 note * Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, No. VI., p. 43. This number of the Journal for January 1854, was not published until February, after the present paper was written. I was enabled however, by the kindness of Mr Highley, the publisher, to peruse a proof of Mr Quekett's valuable paper, before my own was read to the Society, and to interpolate the above passage.

page 179 note * Considering that hitherto no distinct definition of coal has yet been made, and that the efforts of mineralogists and chemists have only shewn that those differences they have detected are of degree rather than of kind, the structural distinction here pointed out must be of great importance.

page 179 note † “A full report of the trial before the Lord Justice-General and a special Jury of the Issues in the action at the instance of Mr and Mrs Gillespie, of Torbanehill, against Messrs Russel and Son, coal-masters, Blackbraes, for infringement of lease of coal, ironstone, &c. Reported by Mr Alexander Watson Lyell, short-hand reporter. Edinburgh: Bell and Bradfute. London: Longman and Co.; and W. Maxwell, 1853.” 4to, pp. 246.

This report is acknowledged by all parties to be very accurate, and it may therefore be regarded as a trustworthy record of the scientific opinions held by numerous individuals, concerning the mineralogical properties, chemical composition, and minute structure of the Torbanehill mineral and of various kinds of coal.

page 179 note ‡ Mr Lyell's Report, page 67.

page 180 note * Mr Lyell's Report, pp. 168–9.

page 180 note † Ibid, p. 170.

page 180 note ‡ Ibid., pp. 171–2.

page 181 note * Mr Lyell's Report, pp. 238–9.

page 182 note * Proceeding of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Session 1853–4 p. 216.

page 183 note * In the above passage, I have carefully avoided any expression which would suggest the notion that in my opinion the wood from which coal is formed, is exclusively coniferous wood. I believe, that with regard to the varieties and even genera of the plants of the coal-formation, there is still much to be discovered. But so far as my examinations have gone, the appearances observed warrant the general inference stated in the text, one which has also been arrived at by Mr Quekett. (Mic. Journal, No. vi. p. 42.) The important fact to be kept in remembrance is, that coal is fossil or transformed wood, whilst the Torbanehill mineral, and all the shales which I have examined, are not.

page 184 note * Mr Lyell's Report, p. 231.