214 On certain Instruments formerly used for [March, 



equal to the distance of Vesuvius from Paris. The report seemed 

 so well transmitted by the air, that it was mistaken for the dis- 

 charge of artillery, and was the cause of several military move- 

 ments in various parts of the American continent. 



Article XII. 



An Account of certain Instruments formerly used for the Purpose 

 of Blasting in the Lead Mines of Colonel and Mrs. Beaumont, 

 at Allenheads. Communicated by Mr. Thomas Crawhall, gf 

 Newcastle-upon-Tyne .* 



These sketches represent an iron instrument found in Allen- 

 heads lead mines, supposed to have been formerly used in blast- 

 ino-, the length of which was 2| or 3 feet ; the upper part having 

 since been cut off, there only now remain 6 inches above the 

 bended part, which is 1^ inch square to the elbow, forming an 

 angle of about 10°; is of a cylindrical shape, slightly tapering 

 to the other end, which is one inch in diameter. On the out- 

 ward side of the angle, along the circular part, is a groove six 

 inches in length, of one-quarter inch broad, and of similar depth, 

 projected (it is supposed) to receive the train of gunpowder, per- 



• From the Archseologia iEliana, vol. i. 



