THE word coal has been derived by some writers from the Hebrew, and by others from the Greek or Latin, but whatever may be its origin, it is deserving of remark that the same sound for the same object is used in the Anglo-Saxon, the Teutonic, the Dutch, the Danish and the Islandic languages.

In its most general sense the term coal includes all varieties of carbonaceous minerals used as fuel. Stone coal is a local English term, but with a signification restricted to the substance known by mineralogists as anthracite. In old English writings the terms pit coal and sea coal are commonly used. These have reference to the mode in which the mineral is obtained and the manner in which it is

*The above is the first half of a very interesting paper read before the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society on June 27th, 1890, by George B. Kulp, Esq., historiographer of the society.

transported to market.

Anthracite is the most condensed form of mineral coal, and the richest in carbon. Its color varies from jet to glistening black, to dark lead gray; it is clean, not soiling the hands; ignites with difficulty; burns with a short, blue flame, without smoke, and with very little illuminating power. It gives an intense, concentrated heat. Some varieties, when undisturbed while burning, partially retain their shape till nearly consumed, and some become extinct before they have parted with the whole of their carbon. The constituents of anthracite are carbon, water and earthy matters-not in chemical proportions, but in accidental and varying mixtures. There are also other ingredients occasionally present, beside the oxide of iron, silica and alumina, which compose the earthy matters or ash. These are sulphur, bitumen, etc. All coals, including in this designation naphtha, petro