A collection of geological facts and practical observations, intended to elucidate the formation of the Ashby Coal-field. In the parish of Ashby-de-la-Zouch and the neighbouring district; being the result of forty years' esperience and research / By Edward Mammatt. Illustrated by a map and profiles, coloured sections of the stratification and one hundred and two plates of vegetable fossils, after drewings taken from nature, by Robert Ironmonger.

  • Mammatt, Edward, 1807-1860.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A collection of geological facts and practical observations, intended to elucidate the formation of the Ashby Coal-field. In the parish of Ashby-de-la-Zouch and the neighbouring district; being the result of forty years' esperience and research / By Edward Mammatt. Illustrated by a map and profiles, coloured sections of the stratification and one hundred and two plates of vegetable fossils, after drewings taken from nature, by Robert Ironmonger. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    south-eastwarclly, skirting the north side of Snarestone, where sandstone abounds: thence, it passes north-eastwardly, through Swepstone and Hea¬ ther to Ibstock, re-approaching Charnwood Forest: from Ibstock, it again turns to the south by Nailstone and Newbold Verdon; edging, at some distance, the primitive rocks of Charnwood Forest until it is lost in the gypsum or marl strata west of Leicester. The area within the space now described, is very considerable : it includes not less than thirty-five to forty thousand square acres. The surface of this area is exceedingly diversified in hill and valley, although seldom in conformity to the line of stratification: no limestone appears within it, nor any remarkable rocks, except those which usually accompany coal, chiefly sand-grit, but not free. It contains no stone hard enough for roads, and little which stands well in buildings, without great care in laying it in the same position it had in its original bed. Gravel, abounding in haematites, is found in isolated patches upon the coal strata, sometimes capping ex¬ tensive portions at the outcrop. The quantity of Coal contained in this area cannot easily be estimated with accuracy: it is not difficult, however, to calculate the immense quan¬ tity that might be depended upon for supplying fuel. If all the known beds or seams of Coal, exceeding twelve inches in thickness, were calculated upon, as capable of being raised by the application of labour and machinery now in use, the area described, after allowance for faults, would yield one hundred and fifty thousand tons per annum (the present estimated consumption) for ten thousand years. The great waste in this Coal-Field, by leaving all the Slack and much Small Coal in the gobbing, may be obviated, if the article increases in value, and the present fashion of burn¬ ing lump coal only, should be changed. The small coal might be used in furnaces, retorts for gas, stoves, and all places where an open fire is not