On the minute structure of a peculiar combustible mineral from the coal-measures of Torbane-hill, near Bathgate, Linlithgowshire / by John Quekett.

  • Quekett, John, 1815-1861.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the minute structure of a peculiar combustible mineral from the coal-measures of Torbane-hill, near Bathgate, Linlithgowshire / by John Quekett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    On the Minute Structure of a peculiar Combustible Mine- ral, from the Coal Measures of Torbane-hill, near Bath- gate, Linlithgowshire, kiioion in Coiinnerce as Boghead Cannel Coal. By John Quekett, Professor of Histology to the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The substance in question has lately excited the greatest interest in the scientific world; and a trial, second to few in importance, has recently taken place in Edinburgh, having for its object the determination whether the Torbane-hill mineral should be called a coal or not, and whether it should be included in the missive of agreement for a lease, and let as coal. Those of my hearers who may wish for a particular account of the matter in dispute, and a statement of the facts broutjht forward, both by the pursuer and defender, or, with us in England, plaintiff and defendant, I would beg to refer to Mr. A. W. Lyell's Report of the trial, published by Messrs. Bell and Bradfute of Edinburgh. Upon this trial no less than seventy-eight witnesses were examined—thirty-three for the plaintiff, and forty-five for the defendEuit. They might be classified as geologists, mineralo- gists, chemists, microscopists, and practical engineers, such as gas managers, miners, &c. With four of these classes of scientific witnesses I have no immediate concern, and will, therefore, leave them to settle their own differences ; but not so with the microscopists, with many of whom my opinions are entirely at variance. In order that you may all fairly understand the nature of this question, as far as the microscopical observers are concerned, I will, in the first place, give you a detailed account of the minute structure of the Mineral itself. Secondly, 1 will give a brief description of the minute structure of Coal, Thirdly, I will lay before you the whole of the evidence given by the microscopists on the part of the pursuer as well as the defender; and lastly, make a few remarks upon the conflicting testimony of some of the witnesses. I wish that the matter had fallen into abler hands than mine ; but having been intimately acquainted with the mineral in dispute for some time past, and as two of the oldest members of this society, Mr. Bowerbank and myself, have had their competency called in question, and have been repre- sented by tlie .Judge as no botanists, and, therefore, are not, as I understand, conversant or skilful in fossil plants, and the society itself not having escaped his ridicule, the jury being