Diffusion of arsenical Vapours from Copper-smeltingFurnaces. aY 



whether this deposit may not be turned to profit by the manu- 

 facturers. It has been found to yield by analysing three per 

 cent, of fine copper, and the arsenic, sulphur, and other sub- 

 stances which aboimd in copper ore may possibly be made 

 profitable; even the spare heat on so large a surface as these 

 horizontal flues cover, may present a cli7nafe for trades requir- 

 ing a moderate degree of heat, or for hot-houses, glass firames, 

 &c. Time will probably develop great improvement in this 

 branch of trade, which has remained stationary perhaps for a 

 century past. 



This short description, however unperfect or unscientific, is 

 submitted, on the impression raised by the reports referred to, 

 for the purpose of inducing intelligent and scientific men to 

 turn their minds to this very interesting subject. The mis- 

 chiefs produced by the present system of smelting copper can 

 scarcely be conceived by a stranger miacquamted with its de- 

 structive consequences. 



Note by the EDITOR.— 'Wi\en a cure is propounded for a 

 disease, the magnitude of the evil is generally somewhat ex- 

 aggerated by those who put forth the remedy. So it is, we are 

 told, with the smoke of the Copper- Works at Swansea, which 

 though undoubtedly a nuisance to a certain extent, are said 

 not to produce such dreadful effects as are set forth in the 

 commencement of this paper. It is certainly injurious to vege- 

 tation; but, as we have lately been informed, the traces ot this 

 are confined to a narrower limit than might have been ima- 

 gined by any one acquainted with the great volume produced. 

 With regard to health and animal life, there is no evidence, that 

 we everlieard of, that would lead us to think that injury re- 

 sults from the furnaces of the common construction ; and ac- 

 cording to the statement of a medical man near the works, 

 it appears that disease is not frequent, and that instances of 

 longevity are common, a iact which is confirmed by experience 

 in the vicinity of copper-works in another county. 



The assertion that the teeth of animals grazing near the fur- 

 naces have been found to be coated with copper, we must beg 

 leave to doubt, not believing that this metal is volatilized at all 

 in any sensible degree; or it it were, that it would be tound just 

 in such a situation. 



Tlie Cadoxton experiment, described in the foregoing paper, 

 is no more than the application to copper calcining furnaces 

 of what is very common to those of tin and lead; lor proof ot 

 whicii we refer, first to our Number for last month, where m 

 Mr. 'iaylor's i)aper on the Smelting Tin Ores in Cornwall, 

 p. 120, Vol. 59, it is said that the arsenic " isconcknsalbij long 



horizontal 



