The same formation of brown coal appears to extend along the Columbia, back of St. Helen’s, where it is in close proximity to beds of iron ore, and the coal may perhaps be used to great advantage in the production of that metal.
Analysis of Mt. Diablo (California) Coal.
BY W. P. BLAKE.
A sample of Mt. Diablo coal, from the Pittsburg mine, was analyzed by me in January last, with the following results:
| Water | 3.28 |
| Bituminous substances | 47.05 |
| Fixed carbon | 44.90 |
| Ash | 4.71 |
The sample was very pure, and apparently free from sulphur. Color black. Fracture sub-conchoidal, giving brilliant shining surfaces. It is very brittle, and is easily reduced to powder in a mortar. Streak, dark brown.
This coal does not fuse so as to cake and make a compact mass of coke. It is not therefore an economical coal for gas production. It gives a long flame in burning; parts with its gas rapidly and breaks up into small fragments, thus necessitating the use of grate-bars with narrow openings. The above analysis differs from those hitherto published, chiefly in the amount of water and gas. Former analyses give from thirteen to fourteen per cent. of water.
Mr. Hanks presented an analysis of the rock-salt collected by Major Lyon on the Muddy River, as mentioned in the proceedings of the last meeting.
On Saturday, April 6th, the Academy made a field excursion to Angel Island, about fifteen members participating in the meeting. Facilities were afforded for the excursion by Major James T. Hoyt and General John A. King; and to these gentlemen the thanks of the Academy were ordered to be returned by the Secretary.