408 Dr. Traill on the Salt Mines of Car dona. 



No iibrous salt was to be observed at Cardona ; nor did I dlscoTcr 

 the slightest trace of gypsum in that neighbourhood ; a remark 

 which was also made by Bowles. On the soil near the town, a 

 small quantity of a saline efflorescence was however observed, which 

 had the taste of sulphate of soda ; but the loss of the specimen I 

 collected, has prevented a more accurate investigation of its pro- 

 perties. 



The salt mine of Cardona is wrought like an open quarry with 

 pickaxes and wedges, by which the mineral is raised in consider- 

 able tabular masses. The part at present wrought presents an 

 extensive horizontal floor of pure rock salt ; the level of which is a 

 little lower than the foot of the great salt precipice. An enormous 

 mass of the same mineral lies between this precipice and the present 

 mine, the removal of which will, in time, render the appearance of 

 this interesting spot still more magnificent ; for then the vast front 

 of the rock salt bed will at once strike the eye from the lowest part 

 of the mine. 



Like every other public work in Spain, the mines of Cardona 

 are in a languid state from the effects of the late war which has 

 desolated the peninsula. Only two labourers are at present em- 

 ployed in quarrying the salt, and in wheeling it to the receiving 

 house. Over these, eight overseers are appointed, who do duty in 

 rotation; and ten centinels are continually stationed around the 

 mine to defend it from the depredations of the peasantry. Several 

 clerks are employed in an office built at the entrance to the mine, 

 and the whole is under the direction of an Intendente or Inspector, 

 who wears the uniform of an officer in the Spanish army j for the 

 mine is the property of the crown, and is most rigidly guarded. 

 Notwithstanding the rigour with which depredators are pun- 

 ished, the peasantry frequently attempt to deceive the vigilance 



