TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 85 



making in round numbers about 1,300,000^. annually, and showing that about -l-^th 

 of the annual exports covers the deficiency of agricultural produce. The consumption 

 of cattle and sheep in the county, estimated from the hides supplied to the tan-yards, is. 



Bullocks 15,950 



Calves 11,550 



Sheep 56,600 



Computing the carcase of each bullock at 6 cwt. each, each calf at 1 cwt., and each 

 sheep at ^ cwt., the gross amount will be 135,500 cwt., equal to about 45 lbs. for each 

 person of a population of 336,000 souls. This is exclusive of pig-meat, the con- 

 sumption of which cannot be ascertained, but is certainly great. It is estimated that 

 there are in Cornwall, 



Of cultivated land 550,000 acres. 



Of improvable land 190,000 ... 



Of unprofitable land 109,000 ... 



To ascertain the qualities of the soil. Sir C. Lemon had specimens analysed of the 

 natural soil taken from the three principal geological formations, viz. the slate, the 

 serpentine, and the granite. This analysis gave very unexpected results. There was 

 an extraordinary similarity between the ingredients and the proportions in all these 

 specimens, and what was still more surprising, a total absence of some of the cha- 

 racteristics of the rocks beneath. The feldspar in granite contains about 17 per cent. 

 of potash, but there is no potash in the soil above. The serpentine contains from 30 

 to 40 per cent, of magnesia, but there is no magnesia in the soil of Goonhely Downs. 

 Yet these are indestructible substances, and if the soil had been formed by the de- 

 composition of the rocks beneath, a considerable quantity of each must have been 

 present. As these soils are deposited on high grounds, in the case of Goonhely 

 Downs extending over a very large and elevated plateau, Sir Charles concluded by 

 proposing, as a geological problem, " Whence did they come ? How formed ? or how 

 transported ?" 



Abstract of a Report on the Condition of the Working Classes in Kingston- 



upon-HuU. 



In the year 1839, the Manchester Statistical Society sent their agent to examine 

 into the condition of the working classes in the town of Hull, and the following are 

 among the more important results elicited by the inquiry : — 



Hull affords less employment to women and children, and more variable employ- 

 ment to men, than the manufacturing districts. It also contains a far smaller pro- 

 portion of immigrants from Wales, Ireland, and Scotland ; and a superior state of 

 education, and certain advantages of physical condition, are distinguishing traits of this 

 district. Out of 8757 dwellings, only fifteen were cellars, containing forty-four in- 

 habitants, that is, 14- per cent, of the whole population, or 1^ per cent, of the work- 

 ing classes ; while in Manchester and Salford, ten per cent., and in Liverpool twenty 

 per cent, live in cellars. The separation of families is also more distinct, and the sy - 

 stem of taking lodgers less prevalent ; the average of individuals to each separate oc- 

 cupation being 43 in Hull, against b\ in Pendleton, near Manchester, where a similar 

 inquiry was instituted. The centesimal proportions of the population of Hull, divided 

 according to nativity, are, — 



English 95'08 per cent. 



Irish 2-24 „ 



Scotch 1'36 ,, 



Out of 9832 males, only 709 were unemployed ; but out of 11,400 females, only 2606 

 carried on an ostensible trade apart from household occupations. In the remaining 

 8794 females are not included domestic servants, or those having a definite calling 

 within-doors. It is worthy of remark, that this number of unemployed females coin- 

 cides almost exactly with that of the heads of families ; and hence it may fairly be 

 concluded that in ordinary times there are but few cases in which the labour of adult 

 males is not sullicientto maintain the family intolerable comfort. The rental of cot- 

 tages in Hull appears to be very moderate, the average being somewhat under two 

 shillings a week for houses, one shilling and five pence for chambers, and one shilling 

 and two pence for cellars ; an average applicable to rather more than half the resi- 

 dences of the working classes. The state of drainage and the supply of water to the 



Welsh 0'48 per cent. 



Foreigners 0"84 „ 



