216 



On certain Instruments formerly used for [March, 



llu - 



3 



5* 



OS 



\a 



which is round at one end, one inch in diameter, with a hole in 

 the centre about one-eighth of an inch, which communicates 

 with another of the same dimensions, about one and one-fourth 

 inches from the other end on the cylindrical side, the opposite 

 being flattened from within one inch of the bottom, or circular 

 end, to one-third of an inch thick at the other extremity ; this 

 hollow cavity appears to have been filled with powder, which, 

 when the instrument was placed in the hole, would immediately 

 communicate with the charge. In this situation, it is presumed, 

 wedges (of wood) were driven against the flat side of the iron 

 tube, to resist the force of the gunpowder, 

 when fired through the touch-hole marked a, 

 by a train or match laid for that purpose. How 

 long this has been in disuse is altogether uncer- 

 tain, even the name is forgotten : it Is probable 

 a century might since have passed away. 



Nearly in the same spot with the above, to 

 which I annex a sketch, a tool of more recent use 

 was found, called by the miners the stock and 

 feathers ; and remembered by some to have 

 been occasionally used about fifty years ago, par- 

 ticularly in wet situations, where gunpowder 

 could not, without great difficulty, be applied. 

 A perforation was made in the stratum, say four 

 to six inches deep ; placing two thin pieces of 

 iron, called the feathers, which are rounded on 



