Anthracite

(an'thra-sīt.) [From Gr. anthraz, charcoal or coal.] (Min.) A species of coal containing more carbon and le bituminous matter than the ordinary kind. Some are of opinion that A. was originally bituminous coal, and that the alteration has been caused by subterranean heat. It occurs in the greatest abundance in the U. States, chiefly in Pennsylvania between Pottsville and Wyoming, and is used not only in the hot blast proce for iron, but its cheapne , the intensity and equability of heat it produces, together with its perfect safety, and freedom from all disagreeable smoke and smell, give it a great superiority over every other species of fuel. The whole supply of A. mined in the U. States in 1877 was 21,300,000 tons. [s. 35]