37

nearly as we can at present mark its boundaries they are as follows: Beginning on the Sabine River, in Sabine County, the boundary line runs west and southwest near Crockett, Navasota, Ledbetter, Weimar, and on to Helena and the Rio Grande, thence back by Pearsall, Elgin, Marlin, Richland, Salem, and Clarksville to Red River.

"It includes fifty-four counties in whole or part, and while we do not know of the occurrence of lignite in every one of these, it will in all probability be found in all of them sooner or later."

Within the area thus defined lignite has been observed at hundreds of localities. Drs. Shumard and Buckley reported many of these, and many others have been described by members of the Survey. The beds vary from a few inches to as much as twelve feet, which thickness has been observed and measured in numerous places.

The lignites have been mined in greater or less quantities in several places, among which may be mentioned:

• Athens, Henderson County.
• Seven miles east of Emory, Rains County.
• Alamo, Cass County.
• Head's Prairie, Robertson County.
• Calvert Bluff, Robertson County.
• Rockdale, Milam County.
• Bastrop, Bastrop County.
• Lytle Mine, Atascosa County.
• San Tomas, Webb County, and others.

Of these localities the Laredo "San Tomas" coal stands out sharply above the rest. Although it is classed as a lignite on the ground of its geologic occurrence, it is much superior to any of the ordinary lignites, as is shown by its analysis. A description of the bed and analysis of the coal were given in the First Annual Report.

USES OF LIGNITE.—The real value of this material as fuel is not at all appreciated. Lignite, up to the present time, has been regarded as of very little value. Two causes have been instrumental in creating this impression; first, the quality it possesses of rapidly slacking and crumbling when exposed to the air; and second (and perhaps this is the principal cause), all who have attempted to use it have done so without first studying its character and the best methods of burning it, and they have in most cases endeavored to use it under the same conditions which apply to a bituminous coal containing little water. While lignite may not differ materially from bituminous coal in weight, its