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By Morris Muskat

ANALYTICAL calculations have been carried out on the effect of casing perforations on the productivity of wells, and formulas have been derived for general types of perforation patterns. The numerical calculations, however, show that the resultant well productivity is essentially independent of the perforation pattern, but is determined mainly by the total perforation density. Thus, for example, for a density of three perforations per foot of casing, the well productivity will be cut to one third of that of the uncased well for a perforation radius of 1/3 in., and to approximately one half for a perforation radius of 1/4 in,, regardless of the detailed manner in which the perforations are distributed over the casing surface. The analytical theory is also extended to include wells completed with slotted liners. It is shown that the reduction in productivity due to such liners will be relatively small as compared with that due to perforated casings.

Jan 1, 1942

By B. K. Miller, R. S. Bradley

The principal producing areas of fire clay in Missouri are: (I) the east central district, which includes Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery, Warren, and Boone Counties (Fig. I); (2) the St. Louis district, which includes St. Louis and St. Louis County; (3) the north central Ozark district, which includes Franklin, Gasconade, Osage, Maries, Phelps, and Crawford Counties. Most of the semiplastic‡ fire clay is found in Audrain, Callaway, Montgomery and St. Louis Counties, and in St. Louis. Flint fire clay is found in Callaway, Audrain, and Montgomery Counties and in most of the north centra! Ozark district. High-alumina diaspore clay is found only in the north central Ozark district, except a few deposits found in Montgomery County. This paper is concerned with the semi-plastic fire clay that occurs in the east central Missouri district near Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri, which is mined by the open-pit method as practiced by the A. P. Green Fire Brick Co. About one-fourth of the semiplastic fire clay in that district is mined in shaft mines, and three-fourths in open pits.

Jan 1, 1942

Jan 1, 1942

A USEFUL and very ingenious idea was surely that of the inventor of AN a short way of extracting gold and silver from the sweepings of all those arts that handle them as well as every particle that smelters of ores might have left in the slags, and also that in some ores themselves. This is done without using great labor in smelting but by the sole means and virtue of mercury. To do this, first make a large bricked pan of stone or wood and arrange a millstone inside which rotates in the hollow of this pan like that of a flour mill. In the hollow of the pan put some of your material containing gold after it has been crushed well in a mortar and then washed and dried. Grind it in the said mill, moistening it meanwhile with vinegar or water in which sublimate, verdigris, and common salt have been dissolved. Then enough mercury to cover these materials is poured over them. They are agitated inside for an hour or two, by turning the mill either by hand or with a horse, depending on the device that you have arranged. Remember that the more the mercury and the material are rubbed together in the mill the more it can be believed that the mercury absorbs the substance that the materials contain. Finally, thus prepared, the mercury is separated from the earthiness with a sieve or by washing and thus the mercury is retrieved. Then, make it rise with a little cucurbit or pass it through a purse and there will remain at the bottom the gold, silver,. copper, or whatever metal you placed in the pan under the millstone to be ground. Wishing to know this secret, I gave to the one who taught it to me a ring with a diamond worth twenty-five ducats, and I also pledged myself to give him the eighth part of whatever profit I should gain from this

Jan 1, 1942

By G. Sachs, G. Espey

It is well known that high residual stresses are created in tubing by the sinking process, in which no internal tool or mandrel is used.l-4 In this process, the wall thickness is usually slightly increased.4,5 In tube drawing with a plug, the residual stresses are gradually reduced with increasing reduction of wall, and, by the conventional approximation methods of stress measurement, no stress is detected in tubing in which the wall reduction is over 50 per cent of the total reduction in cross-sectional area.l,6 It has also been observed that higher stresses are set up by the use of wide-angle dies than by acute dies.? 'he actual stress distribution in drawn tubing has been investigated by a few workers,7"9 but has not been related to the conditions of the drawing process. Some attempts have been made to correlate accelerated cracking tests for stresses in brass products with the magnitude of the circumferential stresses and the condition of the metal. l-10 Materials and Preparation The material used in this experiment was commercial cartridge-brass (70 per cent Cu, 30 per cent Zn) tubing in the straightened and annealed condition.† This tubing was of various outside diameters and had a wall thickness of 0.032 in. It was sunk to 1/2-in. outside diameter by means of an experimental 10,000-lb. hydraulic draw-bench, with a maximum drawing speed of 8 ft. per minute. All dies were of 1/2-in. diameter. Various die materials and contours were used in order to study the effect of die design on residual stresses in the tubing; the specifications for the dies are given in Fig. I. Castor oil was used throughout as lubricant. Chattering occurred in sinking some of the tubing, particularly when dies having the more acute angles were used, but the tubes showing chatter marks did not differ markedly from those with a smooth surface regarding the magnitude of residual stress. The source of the chattering has not yet been revealed. The wall of the tubing becomes thicker during s nking, as previously observed.4,5 The increases in wall thickness were 3, 7 and 9.5 per cent on the average for 6, 20 and 33 per cent reductions in diameter, no effect of the contour being noticeable. The reductions mentioned throughout this investigation do not consider this fact, but are reductions of the outside diameter. For the evaluation of the residual stress two fundamentally different methods were used. The approximation methodl,ll of splitting a certain length of tubing was employed to obtain a bird's-eye view of the effect of various drawing conditions on the circumferential stress measured by the diameter change occurring On splitting. For

Jan 1, 1942

Data about production are very meager. In this county from the earliest days until after the Civil War, the amount of coal used locally greatly exceeded that shipped on account of the iron produced; for many years the furnaces used raw coal for melting the ore. In 1846 it was stated that in this county one ton of iron required three tons of iron ore and three tons of local coal used raw.1 In 1864, eleven furnaces in Pennsylvania using 102,230 tons of raw coal produced 44,671 tons of iron, or 2.3 tons raw coal per ton of pig iron .2 This was probably as good a record as was made, as nearly all furnaces changed to coke some years later. Neither of these figures include the coal used for steam and other purposes around an iron plant. The Beaver and Erie Canal was opened in 1845 and the shipments shown from then to 1865, inclusive, are of coal received by the canal at Erie, and do not include any used at local points along the canal. From the completion of the Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad in 1864 the tonnage shipped by canal decreased. rapidly, and, while the canal shipments after 1864 are supposed to be those received at Erie by canal only, they may include some rail tonnages. Tonnages on Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad may, and probably do, include some used locally; those on the Jamestown & Franklin Railroad do not. It is likely that both canal and Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad figures include some coal originating in Lawrence County, and possibly a little from Beaver County. These tonnages are not duplicated in the data for either of the other counties. Not all of the railroad reports can be found now.

Jan 1, 1942

THE assay of all metal ores is made by means of fusion and they are brought to their fineness in the same way as if they were a large quantity. However, I have told you of lead, tin, copper, and iron in their own places, that they are smelted in order to obtain a good assay so that one may know from its weight whether the quantity justifies the expense. This is their assay, for it does not matter whether it be done with great exactness. But the eye is turned with much more care to the assaying of silver and gold, since they are things of value, and one tries to have a more exact knowledge of them. Thus, when you have found the mountain and the vein of ore in it, and have also uncovered it or extracted it from the mine, it is necessary to make an assay of it, for though it is often apparent to the experts what kind of metal it contains, nevertheless they do not know for sure what virtues or evilness it may have unless the light of the assay itself shows them. Therefore it is necessary to extract a quantity in some way that is as free from rock and as good as possible. To a part of this, without any addition, a smelting fire must be applied in order to see whether it can be smelted easily. If it does not smelt by itself, you must consider and try to understand what causes this, for many times it comes from the rock which accompanies it and which contains much dryness and earthiness. I do not believe that one can know this with other judgment than by experiment with powerful and strong fires. Therefore, if the efforts of ordinary methods do not succeed, it is necessary to try to soften them by means of the company of fusible things-now with marble, now with ground glass, now with lead, galena,* or litharge from lead, or with iron scale, or else with the slag of other ores. With small operations even borax, saltpeter, or ochre is used and similar things, as I shall tell you in detail in the discussion of the preparation of ores for smelting. In short, try to see whether they can be overcome by adjustment of the fires or by virtue of the means

Jan 1, 1942

By Philip B. Bucky

[CONTENTS t. How Does One Determine WhetherPAGE an ore Body Will Block-cave?R. W. Hughes13 Sherman R. Burdick 13 PAGER. T. Gallagher 14 Mark A. Smith 2 C. F. B. Price, Jr.14 Harry A. Leidich2Benjamin F. Tillson 14 McHenry Mosier2C. F. Jackson14,17 R. W. Hughes2R. Taborelli15 Sherman R. Burdick3Frank A. Ayer16 R. T. Gallagher 3Philip B. Bucky16 Benjamin F. Tillson 3Rollin Farminr6 Lucien Eaton 3J. L. G. Weysser15, 0,17 C. F. Jackson 3George S. Rice17 Philip B. Bucky32. How Does One Determine the Block4. What Determines the Procedure in Dimensions and the DevelopmentRemoving Caved Ore? Work Necessary to Make an OreHarry A. Leidich17 Body Cave?McHenry Mosier17,21 Mark A. Smith 5,7,() R. W. Hughes17 Harry A. Leidich6Sherman R. Burdick 18 McHenry Mosier6,7,12 R. T. Gallagher 18 R. W. Hughes6Mark A. Smith I8 Sherman R. Burdick 7Philip B. Bucky20, 21, 23 R. T. Gallagher 7C. F. B. Price, Jr20 Benjamin F. Tillson 7,11R. H. Bennett21 L. E. Young7C. F. Jackson 21, 23 Robert D. Hoffman8, 1 2Gerald Sherman 3 . 21 Gerald Sherman8Tell Ertl21 Philip B. Bucky10, 11, 12G. K. Foster 23 R. S. McClellan 12C. H. Shoemaker23 Tell Ertl 12 3. How Do the Forces Act and What Are5. What Are the Criteria for Determining the Stresses Developed in a Blockthe Efficiency of a Block-caving That Cause It to Block-cave?Operation? Mark A. Smith 12, ISHarry A. Leidich23 Harry A. Leidich13McHenry Mosier24 McHenry Mosier13R. W. Hughes24 Sherman R. Burdick 24 R. T. Gallagher 24]

Jan 1, 1942

By R. F. Mehl, B. Lustman

THE formation of intermediate phase layers in cementation processes has been subjected to extensive qualitative investigation though to relatively little quantitative study; this work has recently been fully summarized by F. N. Rhines.1 It is necessary here only to enumerate the general conclusions drawn concerning the kinetic laws governing the growth of intermediate layers and to state what is known concerning the structural changes accompanying the generation of phase layers. I. When the intermediate phase is protective in type-i.e., when its density is less than that of the base metal, so that a continuous coating is formed and maintained-the isothermal growth of the phase follows a simple parabolic equation: [1 = ki [I]] where X is the thickness of the alloy layer, k the reaction rate constant, and [t] the time. The applicability of this equation to diffusion processes is tested by plotting the square of the thickness versus time, or by plotting the thickness versus the square root of time; the resultant achievement of a straight line in such a plot has been considered sufficient proof of the validity of this equation. Exceptions have been found where liquid phases are involved in the reaction, where the diffusion layer is cracked,2 and where thin semimetallic oxide and sulphide coatings are formed on metals.3 In the first two cases the thickness increases linearly with time, and in the latter it is a logarithmic function of time. 2. The rate of thickening varies with temperature according to the Arrhenius equation: [k = Ae-QIRT [2]] where k is the parabolic rate constant of Eq. I, or some other rate-descriptive function, A is the action constant, e the base of natural logarithms, Q the heat of activation, R the gas constant, and T absolute temperature. This equation has been found to be generally valid except when transformations occur during reaction in either the base metal or in the reaction layer; in such instances Eq. 2 is still applicable with different values for the constants A and Q above and below the transformation temperature. 3. All phases that are stable at the temperature at which diffusion occurs will appear in the interdiffusion of two components. In some cases certain of the phases may be too thin to be observed and identified easily. Nonequilibrium phases have never been noted in thick reaction layers; i.e., layers of a thickness that may be discerned microscopically. The relative thickness of each phase in a diffusion layer is proportional to the concentration gradient and to the rate of diffusion in that phase.4 The reaction layers tend to have a

Jan 1, 1942

The only definite information available is for the years 1875, 1878, and 1879 and 1880. The total figures in Table 48 are estimated. [ ]

Jan 1, 1942

By H. S. Rankin, E. C. Houston

Olivine is considered a valuable potential source of metallic magnesium in the chloride electrolytic process. Treatment of olivine with hydrochloric acid can be carried out under conditions that prevent the formation of gelatinous silicic acid, which would inhibit the reaction by forming a covering around the ore particles. It is our hypothesis that the formation of gelatinous silicic acid is avoided by the dehydrating action of the magnesium chloride, which takes up water to form a series of hydrates and leaves the silicic acid in granular condition. Leaching serves to separate the magnesium chloride from the silicic acid and unattacked ore, which can be treated with fresh acid in successive steps until extraction is essentially complete. The leach solution can be i purified by the addition of caustic magnesia and the precipitated impurities removed by decantation or filtration. The resulting magnesium chloride contains: Fe, less than 0.001 Per cent; Mn, 0.012 ; per cent; Ni, none. Chlorination† of olivine has two major defects: (1) a large part of the chlorine goes to form silicon and iron chlorides, (2) the anhydrous magnesium chloride is held by absorption in the finely divided silica. SupplY It is well known that olivine, a silicate of magnesium and iron, is present in large amounts in several localities in the United States. The largest deposits occur in the southeast and on the Pacific Coast.' The southeastern deposits were surveyed by Lewis2 in 1896 and by Hunter3 in the period 1933-1940 It is estimated that high-grade olivine, conveniently located with regard to transportation and power, is present in excess of 230 million tons above local drainage level in western North Carolina and north Georgia. Previous Technical Work In the past few years, olivine has attracted considerable attention in the refractory field. In the chemical processing industry, however, it has long been thought axiomatic that the cost of processing silicates is an economic barrier to their utilization, especially where more reactive minerals, such as carbonates, oxides or salts, are available. This attitude is not entirely justified in connection with olivine. unlike most silicates, olivine is readily attacked by acids, chlorine and other reagents without resorting to fusion to break down the silicate structure. Olivine has been suggested as a raw material for making epsom salt by roasting with pyrites.4 Other processes include acid treatment6 and digestion with calcium chloride.6 Recently a small plant was built near Webster, N. C., for making epsom salt from olivine by treatment with sulphuric acid. This plant is now in commercial operation, producing approximately two tons per day. Olivine is also receiving attention from the fertilizer industry as an inexpensive source of soluble magnesium.

Jan 1, 1942

No early records of coal in Iowa have been found, although it is very probable that coal along the Mississippi, in the northeastern corner of the state, was seen very early. The United States Census of 1840 showed a production of 400 tons, mined of course in 1839, and the earliest mining, was in Jefferson and Fairfield Counties where the coal was hauled by wagons to shops in the Mississippi River towns years before any railroad was built in the state. In 1840 mines were opened in Van Buren County, near Farmington and Douds, and in Scott County, near Jamestown, all of the product being used locally.' In 1844 D. D. Owen reported seeing mines in the tongue of land between the Rock and Mississippi Rivers, in one of them the coal being 5 to 6 ft. thick, and several other seams south of this locality? In the, late forties a number of small mines were opened in various parts of the state, and in following years in practically every county having coal. The Mystic seam was first opened in 1857 in Appanoose County, since then consistently one of the large producing areas in the state. Consumption was local until the Milwaukee Railroad was built through the county in 1887.1

Jan 1, 1942

By R. F. Mehl, J. K. Stanley

THE recrystallization of cold-worked metals is studied ordinarily by determining the temperatures required for complete recrystallization to occur within a given arbitrary time period, usually within 15 min. to 2 hr. The results obtained are conventionally assembled in a three-dimensional diagram relating this temperature to the amount of cold-work (percentage deformation) and the resultant grain size, though sometimes other modes of representation are employed.1 Such three-dimensional diagrams are not complete, for the number of variables exceeds the number represented. The process of recrystallization is characterized by a time-rate, a fact that is not portrayed upon ordinary recrystallization diagrams. It is known that recrystallization consists in the formation of new nuclei and the growth of these nuclei, a process that continues until the matrix is completely consumed and the original set of grains entirely replaced by the new. This knowledge is old.2 Truly heterogeneous reactions invariably proceed by nucleation and growth; the decomposition of eutectoid solid solutions provides an example about which much is known,3 and freezing, originally studied by Tammann, provides the classic example. Although recrystallization is not a heterogeneous reaction within the orthodox meaning of the term, the mechanism of the process is the same. As in eutectoid inversion and freezing, it should be possible to study the rate of isothermal recrystallization as a function of time, and it should also be possible to analyze the isothermal reaction curve into the component rates of nucleation and growth that determine them.* Other methods, not employing the rates of nucleation and growth, have been used to represent the rates of such reactions, but these in general have been artificial and have not led to progress .4,5† The theory of recrystallization is not in advanced state; if recrystallization data were obtained in terms of the rate of isothermal recrystallization, and in terms of the rate of nucleation and the rate of growth of recrystallized grains, and in particular if the temperature coefficients of these rates were measured accurately, an adequate theory should be more readily developed .27 Such an effort requires proper experimental technique, but especially requires suitable methods of mathematical analysis to convert measurements made upon a surface of polish into values for the rate of nucleation and the rate of growth and to combine these into a rate of isothermal recrystallization. These methods are now

Jan 1, 1942

EVERY intelligent and practical investigator of minerals says that copper ore is found in various regions of the world and that among others Italy is very rich in it. But very little is mined there, perhaps because of a cowardly Italian avarice which has the power to make us lazy and indolent in carrying out those lofty and fine designs which should reasonably make us proceed swiftly, or perhaps because we are not prone to attempt extraordinary profit but only undertake those enterprises in which we are certain of a return on our investment. The reason for this might also be found in the meager possibility of success, which, since these things are not easily attempted because they are enormous undertakings of doubtful outcome, cools the spirit of men and in place of enthusiasm introduces the fear of loss, the fear of having to sacrifice not only time but also the work and money invested; then they think of the difficulty [II] of discovery, of the impossibility of full ownership, and of the necessity of excavating the mineral marrow from the hardest bones of the mountains with the brawn and efforts of men. To this is added the fear common to many that in attempting such things they may be called fools by certain ignorant and dissolute persons, and it seems better to them to be praised for becoming rich through usury and by many other infamous and illicit methods than to lay themselves open to the danger of censure from such as these. But there are those who deserve still greater censure, particularly princes and all rich and powerful persons, and theirs is an even more useless error than that of those who refrain for the above reasons. If the occasion and means present themselves for both attempting and continuing such a profitable and laudable affair as mining ores and if they hesitate solely because of cowardice or because they give ear to the bayings of ignorant hounds, or if because of their own willfulness they wish to remain prisoners of a detestable and ugly avarice, then this is their own loss.

Jan 1, 1942

By G. E. Archie

The usefulness of the electrical resistivity log in determining reservoir characteristics is governed largely by: (I) the accuracy with which the true resistivity of the formation can be determined; (2) the scope of detailed data concerning the relation of resistivity measurements to formation characteristics; (3) the available information concerning the conductivity of connate or formation waters; (4) the extent of geologic knowledge regarding probable changes in facies within given horizons, both vertically and laterally, particularly in relation to the resultant effect on the electrical properties of the reservoir. Simple examples are given in the following pages to illustrate the use of resistivity logs in the solution of some problems dealing with oil and gas reservoirs. From the available information, it is apparent that much care must be exercised in applying to more complicated cases the methods suggested. It should be remembered that the equations given are not precise and represent only approximate relationships. It is believed, however, that under favorable conditions their application falls within useful limits of accuracy. Introduction The electrical log has been used extensively in a qualitative way to correlate formations penetrated by the drill in the exploitation of oil and gas reservoirs and to provide some indication of reservoir content. However, its use in a quantitative way has been limited because of various factors that tend to obscure the significance of the electrical readings obtained. Some of these factors are the borehole size, . the resistivity of the mud in the borehole, the effect of invasion of the mud filtrate into the formation, the relation of the recorded thickness of beds to electrode spacing, the heterogeneity of geologic formations, the salinity or conductivity of connate water, and, perhaps of greatest importance, the lack of data indicating the relationship of the resistivity of a formation in situ to its character and fluid content. On the Gulf Coast it is found that the effects of the size of the borehole and the mud resistivity are generally of little importance, except when dealing with high formational resistivities or extremely low mud resistivities. Fortunately, little practical significance need be attached to the exact values of the higher resistivities recorded. Low mud resistivities are not common, but when this condition is encountered it may be corrected by replacing the mud column. With the present advanced knowledge of mud control, invasion of mud filtrate into sands can be minimized, thereby increasing the dependability of the electrical log. The effect of electrode spacing on the recorded thickness of a bed is often subject to compensation or can be sufficiently accounted for to provide an acceptable approximation of the true resistivity of the formation. As development of a field or area progressively enhances the knowledge of the lithologic section, the resistivity values of the electrical log take on greater significance, ultimately affording acceptable interpretations. The salinity, and

Jan 1, 1942

By Reed W. Hyde

SOME information has been published on the sulphur dioxide concentration of gases from Dwight-Lloyd machines sintering lead ores but most of this relates to the customary practice in which the charge is relatively high in lead and is sintered in two passes over the machine. It is thought, therefore, that the following observations on sintering in one pass a low-lead, low-sulphur charge may be of interest. The data were obtained in sintering lead sulphide flotation concentrates mixed with minus 20-mesh oxide ore, the mixture carrying 16.8 per cent Pb and 5.3 per cent S. No returns were used because of the limited amount of sulphur available as fuel, but the mixture pelletized readily to make a satisfactorily permeable bed on the sintering machine. As there was a possibility that the SO2 might be utilized, a series of runs was made to determine the concentration of S02 in the gases at different points along the wind box, and the effect on this concentration of changes in the wind-box vacuum. Several runs each were made with vacuums (as measured in inches of water at the wind box) of (1) 2 to 1 1/3 in., (2) 4 to 3 1/2 in. and (3) 6 to 5 1/8 in. The averages of the determinations from each series are platted on the graph (Fig. I). The vertical scale shows the percentage by volume of SO2 (as determined by the Reich method), and the horizontal scale shows the time expressed as percentage of the total sintering time. Sintering was considered to be complete when no S02 could be detected in the gases. In all cases the depth of bed was 4 ½ in. and the weight of dry charge per square foot of hearth area was 45.2 lb. Other data are given in the table. The volume of gases corresponding to the several points along the wind box at which S02 determinations were made could not be measured, but has been calculated from the S02 content and sulphur elimination on the assumption that the volume is uniform throughout the sintering period. This is not strictly true, as with a given vacuum the volume will usually drop slightly toward the middle of the period and increase toward the end. However, this assumption is a reasonable approximation. Several interesting features are brought out by these data. In general, the published data on S02 concentration in sintering under ordinary conditions show a high S02 concentration in the early stages followed by a rapid decrease in concentration and with relatively little SO2 in the gases from the last half or third of the operation. In other words, the greater part of the sulphur elimination is obtained in the first third or half of the period. In these runs, the 6-in. vacuum, which approximates the usual operating condition, gives a curve that follows this customary pattern. Maximum S02 concentration is obtained 2 ½ min. after

Jan 1, 1942

By J. E. Armstrong

THE Pinchi Lake mercury belt is in central British Columbia, about fifty miles north of the Prince Rupert branch of the Canadian National railway (Figure 1). Until 1936 little was known about the geology of this area. Jn 19~6 and 1937, J. G. Gray and the writer mapped the Fort Fraser area (G.S.C. maps 630A and 631A) for the Geological Survey of Canada. During the field season of 1937, cinnabar was discovered by J. G. Gray in the Permian limestones on the north shore of Pinchi lake on what have since proved to be the main showings of the Pinchi Lake mercury mine. Claims were staked in the spring of 1938 and later that year were optioned to the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company. Development work revealed cinnabar deposits of commercial size and grade, and a small reduction plant was erected, production of mercury commencing in June, 1940. Since 1940, this plant has been enlarged by additional units. The ore treated is reported to contain between 0.5 and 0.75 per cent mercury. The production of mercury from this deposit is now far in excess of Canadian requirements and this country is able to supply the United Kingdom with part of its needs. In 1940 and 1941, several other occurrences of cinnabar were found northwest of Pinchi lake. During 1941, the writer made a geological investigation of the known cinnabar occurrences and of the belt of country in which they are located. The present paper summarizes the results of this work. The writer is indebted to officials of the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company, and to Mr. E. Bronlund of the Pinchi Lake mine in particular, for their generous co-operation in the work.

Jan 1, 1942

IT is necessary that all men who wish to bring things to a certain end should think of the agents needed to attain this. Now whichever one of the above processes you wish to use you must consider the nature of the material and see whether it is disposed to render what you wish to extract. Then you must see whether you have the other agents sufficiently powerful and proportioned to attain this result, for if the things were not in harmony your work would be vain and very laborious. Therefore, if you should wish to make waters or oils by way of distilla-

Jan 1, 1942

From the early part of the thirteenth century bituminous coal was called "sea coal" in England, from the fact that the coal seams in the Fife and Northumberland fields outcropped on the shores of the North Sea and wave action and erosion resulted in lumps of coal being found in large quantities along the shores. These were gathered by women and children and sold for fuel to replace wood. Coal first reached London by sea, and there was a "Secole Lane" in that city in 1228. The term was gradually applied to all coal and for some hundreds of years all coal in England was called "sea coal", and the term is not yet obsolete there. Another reason for the use of a defining word was the fact that from time immemorial, in England and elsewhere, the word coal meant char-coal, or coal made from wood, as this was the common fuel of those times when anything other than natural wood was burned. The biblical references to coal all mean wood-coals or charcoal, and one must be careful in writings prior to at least 1750, when "coal" is used to be sure that it means stone, or mineral coal, rather than wood or charcoal. "Sea-coal" was in common use along the Atlantic seaboard until after about 1780; the first map showing coal in Pennsylvania, Ohip and Kentucky, made as of 1750, used the term "sea-coal here."2 In the interior stone coal was used by the early writers almost entirely, partly to differentiate it from charcoal, but largely because it was found with stones and rocks, and in most places then had the same value. "Fossil" coal was used by Hamilton in 1790. Jefferson called it mineral coal and pit coal in 1781. The term mineral coal was usually used in the governmental references to it as late as 1850, but the present use of bituminous coal began as soon as anthracite came on the market in 1820. Both mineral and stone coal still survive in the laws of several states specifying the weight of a bushel of coal.

Jan 1, 1942

HAVING promised you to write concerning the nature of ores in particular, I must tell you some general facts, especially those concerning the places, kinds, and manner of their existence as well as the tools which are used. However, you must know that according to good investigators these ores are found in many parts of the world. They show themselves almost like the veins of blood in the bodies of animals, or the branches of trees spread out in different directions. Indeed, careful investigators of minerals, wishing to show by analogy how ores are located in mountains, have drawn a large tree with many branches, planted in the middle of the base of a mountain. From its principal trunk extend various branches, some thick, some slender, exactly like real trees in mature forests. They think that these grow and enlarge continually and draw themselves toward the sky, ever converting into their own nature the most disposed adjacent materials so that finally the tips arrive at the summit of the mountain and emerge with clear sign, sending forth, in place of leaves and blossoms, blue or green fumosities,* marcasites with small veins of heavy mineral, or other composition of tinctures. From these things, when they are found, it is possible to make certain inference that such a mountain contains ores, and as the signs are more or less, so are the minerals plentiful and rich or poor. For this reason the prospectors for these things take heart according to the manifestations that they find, and with hope and certainty of profit they take all possible pains to mine with skill and expense those things that the signs have indicated. Often there are ores of such a kind and quality that they raise a man in wealth to the skies. For this reason men penetrate with eyes of appraisal and judgment within the mountains and see almost exactly the places where there is ore and the

Jan 1, 1942