]]() DOMAIN I. SIDEROUS. 



slate bed, is a granular quartzose schistus, called 

 grit by the workmen ; while the other upper 

 beds are of a friable clay-slate, of an iron colour. 



" This bed of slate is the most considerable 

 known in the country, and I doubt if any similar 

 be found elsewhere. The slate resembles that 

 of Angers, in its quality, and its deep blue co- 

 lour. 



" That of the other quarries in the environs 

 of Charleville is subject to be mingled with py- 

 rites, and intersected in all directions by veins 

 of quartz, which are called cordons. The slates 

 of s6me mines are greenish, like those of certain 

 quarries in the Pyrenees. 



* c In order to quarry these slates they cut out 

 blocks about 00 pounds in weight, which are 

 ealled^/tfz>. Every workman in his turn carries 

 them on his back to the very mouth of the pit, 

 mounting with infinite labour the twenty-six 

 ladders of the great gallery, or at least a part, ac- 

 cording to the depth of the bed. When brought 

 to the working place, these blocks are first split 

 into thick tables, which are called repartom ; 

 this operation is easy: the workman holds the 

 block between his legs, puts a chissel any where 

 to the side, and divides it with the blow of as 

 mallet. The repartom are treated in the same 

 way ; he only takes care when they become too 



