SIO Slatistiral Account vf 



The mineralogy of the mayoralty, although not very licli of 

 various, nevertheless exhibits caibr.nated lime in great varieties. 

 We find also blav^k and gray mariile very compact and of very 

 close texture, as well as breclies susceptible of a very fine po- 

 lish. 



The valley of Canomhi furnishes white marble ; saccharine 

 carbonated lime, similar to the statuary marble of Carrara, the 

 grain of which is not quite so compact; a carbonated lime con- 

 taining alumine or stalactite in masses, a species of cavernous 

 tuf. very ir^^eful for constructing arches We there al-o find marls 

 and argils of various colour-, adaptefl for the potter and brick- 

 maker ; amorphous cjuartz in banks, very considerable' in the vi- 

 cinity of 7'rebnschanka, and crystallized in th.e cdnfines of Tol- 

 mino and Walmistrate. Jaspers of various colours in thick layers 

 are found in the country of Woiska : they appeared to be in- 

 clined strongly on the side of the torrent of 1 rebuschanka, 

 where we observe their superficial decomposition in a very marked 

 manner. There is also a kind of freestone (both fine- and coarse- 

 grained) in the environs of the forest called Razore; coal free- 

 stone {gres^ /lou/Hier'i) in the little valley of Tschekourig, as well 

 as in the vicinity, where there have been excavations, and where 

 there are traces of fossil coal. 



Calcareous fhumacheles susceptible of polish, shells agglo- 

 merated by an argillaceous paste containing sulphuretted iron, 

 which is decomposed in the air, accompany the substances which 

 have been extracted from the excavations practised at the time 

 of the search for coal. 



Amphibolic rocks and micaceous schists are found in several 

 places. 



Sulphurated iron inclosed in lumps in argil, oxide of the sanie 

 metal, in this earthy substance, forming the luminous manganese- 

 formed iron, is disseminated in the district of Pouschenick, in 

 strata, the thickness of which has not been examined. 



Finally, native mercury combined with various matters forms 

 the chief mineral riches of this country. 



I have already observed that the tovvn of Idria was built at the 

 bottoin of the conical basin and over the subterraneous works. 

 Its height above the level of the sea is, according to the various 

 l;arometrical measurements which I have made, "lfi9 metres. 



Although the town of Idria is not regularly buih, it is never- 

 theless pleasing to the eye. The houses in which the workmen 

 live, far houi being distinguished by a black and dismal look as 

 is usual in the vicinity of nines, seem on the contrary, from 

 their external neatness, to indicate that the inhabitants enjoy 

 ease and comforts not usual among this class of workmen in 

 other countries, 



T\vo 



