‘Mineral Surveys of the British Counties. 9 
was accomplished, (which appears now to be almost the 
case) that the Board consulted several eminent mineralogists, 
as to the proper heads of inquiry, and on the best manner 
of conducting mineral county surveys; among whom was 
Mr. Richard Kirwan, and whose reply to the inquiries of 
the President on these heads is printed in the first volume 
of their “¢ Communications,” appendix Ixvill. 
I conceive that I shall be forwarding the very important 
objects of the Board, in giving a place to this letter of Mr, 
Kirwan. Epiror. 
’ 
«© Srrn,—WHEN last I had the honour of meeting you 
in London, you were pleased to express a wish, that in order 
to promote a mineralogical survey of the kingdom, the pro- 
per objects of inquiry in every county should be briefly 
pointed out, and in such a manner as that they may easily 
be discerned, even by such persons as cannot be supposed 
to be deeply versed in such matters. In compliance with 
your wishes, I now send you the principal heads of such 
Inquiries, many of which may be satisfactorily answered by 
architects, common land surveyors, masons, and even com- 
mon labourers ; though it were to be wished that persons 
of still superior education, as those of the clerical and me- 
dical professions, were also consulted. In the mining 
counties in particular, as Cornwall, Derbyshire, Flintshire, 
Devonshire, Lancashire, &c. the overseers of the works 
could give the best information; in many, several private 
gentlemen are known to be well instructed in those matters. 
ist. Are there any mountains in that county? and their 
names? what is their course or diyection? their height, 
known or reputed? whether of steep or gentle ascent, cul- 
tivated, woody, or otherwise? dry, or abounding in springs? 
ity continued ridges, or separate and distinct? what sort of 
stone are they formed of (whether at the top, middle or 
bottom? what is their inclination) or is found in them? as 
ranite, sandstone, whin, limestone, marble, alabaster, 
BeAieahie. ene: freestone, flays, slates, gravel, flint, &c., 
are they solid or cavernous? are they single, or one within 
the other? and the different stones in each? What other 
hills or eminences are there ?. of what composed ? stony 
or chalky, and their direction and bearings, with respect to 
the mountains ? , . 
edly. What rivers traverse the county? their names, 
length, breadth, depth, and direction? what lesser streams 
flow iuto them, and their direction? temporary or perennial, 
apt 
