Point of Ayr bituminous coal was liquefied in hydrogenated anthracene oil in a tubing bomb over a range of temperatures (300-450 degrees C, at 25 degrees C increments). The residual material was investigated microscopically to determine the volume percentage of various residues and conversion ratio. The hydrogenation behavior of each maceral group was investigated and it was found that the vitroplast formed from vitrinite has different optical features from that formed from liptinite, with the liquefaction of liptinite occurring mainly above 400 degrees C and that of vitrinites at lower temperatures, Two types of semicoke were recognized. The influence of temperature, residence time, and coal/solvent ratio on coal conversion was examined and compared with the above behavior.