Mr. WiLLi.^M Phillips on the Veins of Cornwall. ]39 



branches or strings are occasionally observed to strike into the vein 

 from the north or south, w^hich, it seems probable, have before 

 diverged from the same, or some neighbouring vein, (PI. 6. fig. 5.) 

 It is not certain that copper veins are equally subject to this cir- 

 cumstance as are those of tin. In Polgooth and Carnmeal tin 

 mines, their effect was the sudden enlargement of the load to 

 what is termed a Jloor of tin^ twelve feet or more in breadth, but 

 without the determinate walls usually observable in regular veins. 

 A floor of tin rarely continues for any considerable length or depth, 

 and the load is generally soon found to resume its usual size and 

 appearance. From the common effect of this kind of branch or 

 string, it is generally known by the term leader. 



The Contre. 



There occurs still another species of vein, of which the course 

 or direction is generally about north-east and south-west, and 

 which therefore is oblique in respect to all other veins ; from this 

 circumstance I presume it to have obtained the name of Contre or 

 Gaunter. They are mostly, if not always, metalliferous ; several 

 instances have occurred of their being remarkably rich. Two in- 

 stances will be noticed in the annexed descriptions of Huel Alfred 

 and Herland mines, in both of which they were very productive 

 of copper ere. 



It may here be noticed, that in the former of those mines, the 

 regular or east and west vein was disturbed by the contre, and for 

 some distance totally disappeared on the west. In the latter, both 

 the load of the regular vein and that of the contre were enlarged, 

 and became more productive by uniting. 



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