22 RElPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1906 



the old Copper Mines at Ordweel, whose ore consists merely 

 of some superficial films of Chrysocolla (Silicate 

 Copper of Copper), which being of a bright green 



Mines. colour have led to the belief that copper 



would be found in paying quantities, which 

 did not prove to be the case." It is matter of surprise 

 that in the Club's Proceedings no record is preserved of 

 the working of this ore; but from the literary remains of 

 the late Mr William Stevenson, Duns, a paper contributed in 

 1845 to the Royal Society of Edinburgh has been furnished, 

 in which the following reference to the rock-formation of 

 this district occurs. " Within a space of 50 yards by 30 

 the porphyry has forced its way through the strata in eleven 

 or twelve different places. The greywacke is much hardened 

 and contorted, and near its contact with the igneous rock 

 it becomes cupriferous, and abounds in quartz veins. The 

 Copper ore, which is of the green and grey varieties, occurs 

 in the schists which alternate with the greywackes." In the 

 New Statistical Account of the parish of Bunkle, published 

 in 1834, the writer remarks: — "There is a copper mine on 

 the property of Lord Douglas at the farm of Hoardweel, 

 close by the river. About 60 years ago (say 1770) it was 

 worked by an English company to a considerable extent. 

 As the ore was at first rich, the work was for some years 

 carried on with advantage ; but the vein afterwards ceasing 

 to yield a sufficient quantity of ore, it was given up. In 

 1825, however, the work was resumed by another company, 

 likewise from England, and though for several months it 

 was prosecuted with apparent success, it was a second time 

 abandoned without any reason being assigned for such a 

 step." Perhaps Mr Goodchild's estimate of the value of the 

 ore may supply the needed explanation, for while granting 

 that its yield might have been profitable at the commencement 

 of the workings, he was of opinion from any samples since 

 obtained, that it would not pay for the sharpening of the 

 workmen's tools ! It is interesting to note meanwhile that 

 about the same period a similar attempt was made further 

 up the river, on the farm of Ellemford, where the working 

 was carried horizontally to the distance of 130 yards into 

 the greywacke, after the manner of the workings now visible 



