158

Two other analyses of the Skonun Point lignite are pub-
lished in the prospectus of the American Coal Company, Sep-
tember, 1911, the analyses being made by J. O’Sullivan, of
Vancouver.

Waters oe ee a ee DO te ee ee es 22-5
Vol.scombustible: 34. 2 So oie WSee eet ee? 4 ees 37-5
Pixechcarhbon. 4.8 Si See SiS ee ee ee 36-5
ASH te5 ce Oe has ee eee : Fl Saas Smaart ae 3-5

100-0 100-0

The lignite is plainly seen to be composed of woody stems and
tree trunks pressed into a tough, black, and brown mass and is
remarkably similar to Tertiary lignite from the Flathead valley,
British Columbia. The feeble resistance to erosion offered by the
enclosing sandstones is probably due to their calcareous cement
which is readily dissolved by the sea water.

The lignite, if not allowed to dry too rapidly, will stand
transportation fairly well, though it slacks or checks to some
extent.

At Skonun point there appears to be a large amount of this
lignite available, though, with few exceptions the seams are thin.
As a future resource the material has undoubted value.

No other occurrences of lignite came under the writer’s
observation, but the known wide extent of the material renders
it probable that valuable deposits may yet be found.

Origin. As detailed studies have not been made of the lig-
nite, little can be said in regard to its origin. In general, the
conditions may have been similar to those obtaining when the
Cretaceous coals were formed, except that the conditions were
not so widespread.

PETROLEUM.

In the following description of the so-called petroleum de-
posits of Graham island, the various occurrences are taken up
according to the formation in which they are found, beginning
with the oldest; there follows a brief statement of the theories
in regard to the origin and accumulation of petroleum deposits of