This book, now scarce, was heralded in the press at the time of publication as one of the most important books on mining accidents for many years. It examines the explosive properties of coal dust particularly in relation to the explosions at Camerton Colliery, Somerset in 1893. There had been previous tests on coal dust at the non-gaseous mines of Gloucestershire & Somersetshire but it had been concluded that the coal dust without the addition of gas was harmless. The presence of methane gas or 'fire-damp' had previously been considered to be the main cause of explosions in the mines. This work examines the danger posed by coal dust & considers many related questions & issues like ventilation, presence of water, geological strata & air analysis.