Dr. F. H. Thomson's Historiccd Notes of Copper Smelting. 327 



the trap formations.* Native copper is also found to this day in 

 large masses in the serpentine rocks, which never contained any copper 

 ore, and where no copper mine ever existed. 



Copper found in the metallic state is generally very pure, and easily 

 adapted to manufacturing purposes, and although sometimes obtained 

 in masses at great depths, and difficult of extraction, oui* forefathers 

 must have used this supply previous to any great knowledge of 

 smelting. 



This species of deposit is to be found all over the world, and in later 

 times immense blocks have been discovered, weighing many tons, on 

 Lake Superior. 



The Phoenicians seem to have known more of metallurgy than any 

 other nation ; for in any analysis of the weapons or ornaments ascribed 

 to them cobalt is generally found. This would prove that they were 

 in the habit of smelting the sulphuret ores. They therefore must have 

 known and practised the art scientifically. Pliny stated that many 

 ores of copper were found in Cyprus, and as the Phoenicians peopled 

 that country it is probable they used them as well as the native copper. 

 At the same time he is of opinion that copper smelting from certain 

 ores was known long before they were a people. 



The first method of smelting was doubtless very simple, and consisted 

 in placing the mineral in heaps with successive layers of wood, which 

 being kindled, first roasted, and then reduced a portion of the metal. 

 In Macedonia large heaps of slag are found. The Peruvians also, we 

 are told, melted their ores, when they were of a refractory nature, by 

 means of furnaces, built on an eminence, so as to have the benefit of 

 draught. Discoveries in Russia show that smelting and mining was 

 known in ancient times. In Siberia Gmelin found nearly 1,000 furnaces 

 made of small bricks, about two feet high and three wide ; they were 

 furnished with holes for the escape of the metal and the introduction 

 of bellows, all indicating that smelting had at one period been carried on 

 to a great extent. 



The inhabitants of Great Britain could not have known much of 

 metallurgy previous to the invasion by the Romans ; for although tin 

 was the most ancient production, and one of the temptations of con- 

 quest, CiEsar and Strabo both state that the Britons obtained their 

 copper from foreign countries. Tin was smelted by being placed in a 

 hole in the gi'ound, the sides of which were lined with pieces of wood. 

 These, when ignited, reduced the metal by simple deoxidation— a small 



* A striking instance of this may be noticed in a whinstone quarry, ten miles from 

 Glasgow, on the property of Mr. Graham Barns of Limekilnfl. 



2 X 



