A. Soft; spongy when wet; very lightweight when dry; forms in swampy
places
1) Fine mass with coarse plant fragments; dark gray to black
Peat (13)
2) Plant fragments small and not easily recognized; fine-grained;
black to dark gray; earthy
Muck
B. Hard but can be scratched with a knife
1) Black; contains bands of shiny and dull material; burns well
Coal (14)
2) Dark gray to black; does not contain shiny bands; splits into
thin sheets; burns poorly or not at all
Bituminous shale