65 

 MINERAL RICHES OF OUR VICINITY. 



IT is a remarkable circumstance that, amongst the 

 multiplicity of lectures delivered here, at the Institu- 

 tion, and the Mechanics' Institute, we hear little or 

 nothing of mineralogy. This certainly does not arise 

 from inability to appreciate the importance of mineral 

 productions, hemmed in, as we may almost be regarded, 

 between mines and limestone : nor can it be owing to 

 anything unfavorable in our situation for the study 

 of mineralogy, the reverse being the case in a very ex- 

 traordinary degree. Few places, if any, offer mora 

 natural facilities for an acquaintance with that branch 

 of science : our neighbourhood is particularly rich in 

 mineral variety ; and no one, who has not investigated 

 the subject, has an idea of the extent of a collection 

 which may be made, by the mere use of our eyes and 

 fingers, in exploring our neighbouring walks and ex- 

 cursions. It is to the absence of this knowledge that 

 may be attributed the inattention of the above-named 

 societies to mineralogy, and to supply, at least, an 

 opening for it is the object of this paper. 



It may be first observed that, we are surrounded by 

 some of the rock formations most fertile in well-de- 

 fined minerals, and these may here be taken in an 

 order, corresponding rather with the convenience of 

 description than with their topographical proximities 

 to the town. 



1, Limestone; 2, Serpentine; 3, Porphyry; 4, 

 Granite; 5, Trapp, and particularly its junction with 

 the previous three, and with 6, Slate. 



In the Slate are veins of lead, antimony and man- 

 ganese : at its junction with the porphyry and granite 

 are veins of copper. 



In the Granite are veins of tin, and veins and masses 

 of iron. 



1. On the Limestone something has been said in 

 No. I. of the Museum; it needs only here be repeated, 

 that fine crystals of double refracting spar are some- 

 times found in it ; some, five or six inches long, above 



