ON THE DETRITAL TIN-ORE OF CORNWALL. 201 
In other parts of the moor sections of ancient works show 
beds of detrital matter resting immediately on the outcrop of 
tin-bearing veins in the (Shelf) granite. 
From Porkellis to Trenear, and thence downward to Helston, 
traces of stream-works are visible at short intervals. And from the 
bed of the Loe-pool tin-ore has been also obtained.* 
Neither the stream—nor the mine-tin-ore presents trace of 
either copper—or iron-pyrites ; and, throughout the neighbour-’ 
hood, trout thrive in every rivulet and pool.t Generally speaking, 
the detrital tin-ore is less rounded in this, than in any other part, 
of Cornwall; and, mixed with it, water-worn granules of exceed- 
ingly pure gold{ are sometimes, though but seldom, found. 
Near Tregedna,§ in Mawnan, vegetable mould and hardened 
silt, to a thickness of twenty or thirty feet, overlie a very thin 
*® Rogers, (J. Jope), Cornwall Geol: Trans: vii, p. 354. 
} Fish of considerable size are frequently caught in the deep pits of 
abandoned works. 
¢ Some five and thirty years ago, whilst examining a small parcel of 
stream-tin-ore brought from this district to one of the Smelting-houses at 
Hayle; I found, amongst it, a lump of gold, nearly, if not quite, as large 
as a pea. 
§ “A mass of Jew’s-house-tin, three or four pounds weight, was found 
amongst the remains of an ancient furnace, near the well at Tregedna.” 
Mr. Josuvua Fox, MS. 
The public enjoy almost unlimited opportunity of observing that birds 
without number frequent the beautiful grounds of Tregedna; accompany 
Mr. Fox in his walks, alight on his person, and feed from his hand. 
During my sojourn in Brazil an English resident at Gongo Soco presented 
one of my little household with a specimen of the Merlo (? Merula minor) 
a jet-black bird about the size of a starling; which had been taken from the 
nest, whilst yet unable to feed himself or to fly; thus early, however, he 
bathed after every meal. Showing no disposition to wander, he was never 
caged, but hopped and fluttered about the premises at will. It was impossible 
not to notice habits so unlike those of any other bird I had ever seen; and 
the interest’ I felt seemed to awaken some corresponding feeling in him, for 
he accompanied me through the garden and returned with me to the house. 
The little basket in which he had always slept, was now placed, at night, 
within reach of my bed. At dawn he awoke me by the rustling of his 
feathers, and if I did not leave the bed at sun-rise he hopped to the pillow and 
pulled my hair or tugged at my night-cap; whilst I dressed he sat on the sill 
of the open window and poured forth his sweet morning song. 
When I left the house he betook himself to the garden, where he adroitly 
seized, and heartily fed on, grubs, insects, and worms, disturbed by the rake 
or unearthed by the shovel of the workman; great part of his time he sat 
and sang amongst the palms, bananas, and orange-trees ; paying, however, 
