Kinahan — On Irish Marbles and Limestones. 405 



They are not, comparatively, of rare occurrence, being recorded 

 in seven counties, while probably they will be found in others, as 

 until recently it has been customary to group them with the 

 associated pyroxenic or other volcanic rocks, of which they are 

 methylotic adjuncts. Thus, in the counties Wexford and Wick- 

 low, it is only recently that these distinct rocks have been separated 

 on the maps. 



As far as the records can be depended on, these rocks are, in 

 almost all cases, found associated with the old metamorphic rocks 

 ( Ordovician and Cambrian) . One exception, however, has been men- 

 tioned, as ophyte is found as an adjunct of the Carboniferous rocks 

 of the Co. Limerick. Here the tract is of such small dimensions 

 and the rock so inferior in quality, that it might be ignored were 

 it not for the exceptional circumstances under which it has been 

 found. It is quite possible, however, now that attention has been 

 called to the circumstance, that it may be found elsewhere associ- 

 ated with even younger rocks. 



Eklogyte is in aspect very like ophyte, and by most geologists 

 they are classed together. It has therefore been only recorded in 

 two counties, although probably it also occurs elsewhere. It is 

 allied more or less closely to saussuryte, or Swiss jade. Some of the 

 ancient implements known under the general name of " celt 

 were manufactured out of rocks of this class. 



The steatytes or soapstones are in colour very pale-grey, or 

 bluish, or greenish, or greyish- white, while others are reddish or 

 orange. Some of them are very suitable for the manufacture of 

 articles of vertu, but as far as we are aware they have not been so 

 utilized. 



Pyrophyllyte or camstone may be counted as a new class of 

 rock ; for although given its proper place in mineralogical books, 

 in geological writings it has almost invariably been called steatyte, 

 -or a " coarse variety of steatyte " ; consequently the records of its 

 occurrence are few. For years it has been recognized in the Co. 

 Donegal, and has been used in some of the ecclesiastical structures. 

 A rock that appears to be pyrophyllyte is also recorded in the 

 Co. Cork ; while patches and veins or beds occur in the blackish 

 slates of Ordovician age in the Co. Wexford. In other places, if 

 it exists, it has been classed with steatyte. It probably occurs in 

 the Co. Galway, as hereafter mentioned. 



