86 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



similar, and similarly circumstanced to those in the Co. Tipperary. 

 (See Victoria Slate Quarries, under Tipperary, p. 88). But the 

 quarries have not been so continuously or systematically worked, 

 as they have passed through the hands of different companies and 

 individuals. 



Between Kilmaganny and Ballygowan a slate- vein was, at one 

 time, worked ; but the slates were considered too soft. At this 

 place there is an excellent novaculite or honestone ; it is soft, but 

 capable of giving a fine and finished edge to tools ; it is much used 

 in the neighbourhood. — (g. s. m.) 



Blessington, about a mile and a-half eastward of Thomastown ; 

 an untried vein of slate. 



In the south-east of the county various trials have been made, 

 but no satisfactory vein was discovered. 



KING'S COUNTY. 



The Ordovician slates appear only in the south-east of the 

 county, to the southward of Kinnity ; and various small openings 

 have been made in different places ; but none of any great extent. 

 In general, the good veins appear to be of small dimensions and 

 not worth quarrying. 



LIMERICK. 



Ordovician slates are found to the south of the county in the 

 neighbourhoods of Kilfinane and Ballylanders, where there are 

 several small quarries. Four miles S. S. ~W. of Ballylanders, in the 

 Ahaphuca valley, on a vein of greenish-grey good slate, an extensive 

 quarry has been opened ; and a second on a similar slate to the 

 east of Ballylanders, just outside the mearing of the county, in 

 county Tipperary (page 88). These slates were at one time ex- 

 tensively used in all the neighbouring country; but now they are 

 considered two heavy for ordinary roofing purposes. 



Lewis mentions a " slate of good quality quarried in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of KilmaUock ; a vein south-east of 

 Houndscourt, parish of Kilflynn ; an inferior slate at Towerlegan ; 

 and a slate quarry at Darragh, south-east of Kilfinane." 



