Kinahan. — On the Clays of Ireland. 147 



entirely of the shells of Diatoms. (" Gruide to Belfast," &c, by 

 Belfast Naturalists'' Field Club, p. 73.) 



At the present time the sole use it is put to is to mix it with 

 clay to burn into bricks of an excellent quality. It is, however, 

 evidently capable of being more profitably employed. For some 

 time dynamite was manufactured with silicious clay imported 

 from the Continent ; but rather recently diatomite, or diatomaceous 

 clay was discovered in Scotland, and since then its presence has 

 been proved in various places, which has led to the introduction of 

 a new and profitable industry. The " Bann Clay " is apparently 

 equal to many of those Scotch clays, and superior to others ; it 

 may therefore be suggested that here probably there is a valuable 

 source of profit at present unknown. 



Brick Clay is found in several places within the county, and 

 manufactured. Bricks are made in the neighbourhood of Antrim, 

 16s. to 25s. per 1000, 8f" x 4" x 3", weight 6 lbs; in many places 

 within four miles of Ballycastle, 15s. to 20s., 8 x 3 \ x 2| and 9J 

 x 4j x 3§, weight 6 lbs. ; near Ballymoney, 8 \ x 3j x 2|, weight 

 4 lbs. ; in the vicinity of Larne, 24s., 9x4x3, weight 6^ lbs. 



Bricks are made in great quantities near Belfast ; the best 

 coming from Haypark Works, Ormeau-road, size 9 x 4J x 3, 30s. 

 to 35s. per 1000. Demand very brisk ; works over twenty-five 

 years old. 



The fire-bricks in use in Belfast and other places are from 

 Glasgow, 55s. per 1000. 



For the following information in connexion with Belfast, &c, 

 we are indebted to Mr. William Swanston. 



BELFAST. 



(Cos. Antrim and Down.) 



Clay Pipes. — One of the so-called " Dane pipes " was found 

 in an ancient earn on Scrabo Hill, associated with Roman remains, 

 and silver coins with Hiberno-Danish characters of about a.d. 1017. 

 Both the pipes and the coins are supposed to be of much later date 

 than the earn. " Dane pipes " have also been found elsewhere, 

 as in the excavations for the main sewer, High- street, Belfast, in 

 Carrickfergus, in Dromore, in Lisburn, and in Larne. They are 



