PRECIOUS ilETALS IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND. 113 



"The next discovery was at Herland in Grwinear in 1799. 

 The silver ore was found in a cross-course, and was rieliest near 

 the point of intersection of a cojiper-lode, particularly whore this 

 latter was rich in copper ore. It was first seen in the 90 fathom 

 level and continued to the 120. In length its extent was nowhere 

 more than 45 feet, and it gradually became poorer as its distance 

 from the copper lode increased." The ore was chiefly "vitreous 

 silver ore" (argentite), " arsenicated silver ore " (pyrargyrlte or 

 proustite), and " black oxide." " Some of the latter (called ' goose- 

 dung ore ' by the miners) contained upwards of 50 per cent, of 

 silver." The value of the silver obtained at this jilace was about 

 £8,000, part of the ore was smelted on the mine and the rest sold 

 in Bristol.-'* 



In 1810,'^ a discovery was made under somewhat similar 

 circumstances at Dolcoath, but at a depth of 160 fathoms. " Ore 

 to the value of £3,000 was taken out in a short time. Silver 

 ores were again raised from Dolcoath to a considerable extent in 

 1833 and from North Dolcoath in 1859-60 *^ 



In 1812 at Wheal Duchy, near Calstock, a good deal of 

 native silver, ruby silver, and grey and black sulphide was taken 

 from a cross-course running N.E.-S.W., and a cup made from 

 these ores was presented to the Duke of Cornwall. By 1816 the 

 mine had yielded more than £5,000 worth of silver, all from a 

 leader from 1 to 4 inches wide, in a lode varying from 6 to 12 

 inches. Some detached lumps which assayed 70°/q for silver 

 were found in the 10 fm. level, where also was a rich leader 

 which extended for three fathoms in length. Silver was also 

 found in the 20 fm. level and later in the 30 fm. level. In 1833 the 

 mine was reopened as Wheal Brothers, when a considerable 

 quantity of argentiferous gozzan was found, which was sold at 

 prices varying from £2 up to £500 per ton. At the 30 fm, level 

 one part of the lode was valued at £500 and even £600 per fm. 

 In three months, at a cost of £567 4s. 9d,, no less than 



34- Carne, Ibid, 122. 



35. Henwood. Trans. R.G.S.C. VIII, p. 112. 



36. It is well-known that Lord deDinistanville was presented with a service of plate 

 made from the silver ores raised on the Basset estate (Dolcoath) in recognition of his 

 large relinquishments of dues in times of trouble. 



