112 Mr. William Phillips on the Veins of Coniwalh 



;tion of Its being given In some future volume of the Transactions, in 

 the most accurate and satisfactory manner. 



But the ascertaining of the local and relative situations of mines, 

 though of unquestionable interest to the geologist, can only be 

 regarded as a link in the chain of inquiry. In order to render its 

 value complete, it should be accompanied by a memoir, or rather a 

 comprehensive history of each mine and of its connexion with those 

 immediately contiguous to it on the same veins. But this could only 

 •be attained by years of unceasing and laborious inquiry on the spot. 

 In the counting-houses of the most successful mines the only infor- 

 mation ever committed to paper, in regard to the workings of the 

 veins are the expenditure and income, together with a section of the 

 vein from which the profit is reaped, without a single notice in regard 

 to the tract of country through which it passes. Of the generality 

 of unsuccessful mines, which form by far the greater proportion, all 

 that is registered is the loss or expenditure; other information can 

 only be obtained by a recourse to personal inquiries of the conductors 

 or captains. 



The following pages are principally intended to exhibit an outline 

 of general facts relative to the veins of Cornwall, arranged under 

 separate heads. In drawing up this sketch, such advantage has been 

 taken of what has already been published on the subject as seemed 

 consistent with the present object, carefully rejecting every thing 

 doubtful, or hypothetical, and having in constant view the advantage 

 of corroborating every assertion to the extent of my limited informa- 

 tion, by a recourse to the peculiar circumstances of individual veins or 

 mines. Though thus limited in its object and extent, it will I trust be 

 found both consistent with its Intention and accurate in its detail ; nor 

 will its service be trifling if, upon a subject so interesting, and on 

 ivhich little is known, it should be the means of inducing some of the 



