Kinahan — On Irish Marbles and Limestones. 413 



the great field of Cainozoic dolorytes, principally near the coast-line. 

 Many quarries have been opened in it, generally to procure stones 

 for lime. As the White Limestone is for the most part full of irre- 

 gular cracks and joints, it cannot be finely tooled or procured in 

 large blocks ; it can, however, be scrabbled into fair-sized stones 

 suitable for rough building. A house built of the White Lime- 

 stone, with quoins and dressing of the black doloryte, has a clean 

 but quaint appearance. 



In pre-historic times the chalk flints were extensively manu- 

 factured into weapons and other articles in the county, or were 

 exported into the neighbouring counties. Subsequently they were 

 manufactured into gun-flints. The latter trade has now died out, 

 although still found profitable in parts of England. 



The white limestone in general gives a good and cheap lime. 

 It is largely quarried, and exported to the opposite coast of Scotland 

 for the purpose of burning. 



At Larne and (xlenarm the white limestone is extensively 

 manufactured into whiting. 



Armagh. 



A limited tract of Carboniferous limestone occurs across the north 

 portion of the county. In general it is of an earthy character, in- 

 clined to be shaly, and blackish-grey in colour, except at Armagh. 



Armagh. — Light pinkish grey, yellowish, and shades of red. 

 This stone, when polished, gives out a warm yellowish colour ; but 

 when dressed with the tool it is whitish. It is used as marble, and 

 both for rubble and cut-stone purposes. Blocks of large size, 

 suitable for columns, have been obtained, while the thinner beds of 

 red shades have been made into chimney-pieces and other orna- 

 mental work. Formerly these quarries were very extensively 

 worked (see Armagh Marbles). 



Navan. A mile from Armagh. — Dark, dull, grey, earthy; 

 rather difficult to work. 



Excellent lime is abundant at Armagh, and a good lime, made 

 from the white limestone of Co. Down, in the neighbourhood of 

 Lurgan and Moira, is also much used. 



At Benburb, adjoining the Co. Tyrone, there is a compact blue 

 stone that makes hydraulic lime. It was used in the construction 

 of the Ulster Canal. 



