410 Dr. Traill on the Salt Mines of Car dona, 



ration reduces it into an excellent culinary salt of a snowy whitew 

 ness. In this state it is sold to the peasantry of the surrounding 

 districts, at the rate of thirty reals vellon, or seven sh. six d. sterl. 

 per fanega of five arrobas of Catalonia, which equal 116 pounds 

 'ivoirdupois. 



As there are no roads practicable for wheel carriages in this part 

 of Catalonia, the salt is carried from Cardona on mules or asses ; 

 the only beasts of burden that could travel in safety the rugged 

 defiles in which this district abounds. It seems a part of the perverse 

 policy of the Spanish government to discourage the formation of 

 proper roads, lest it should facilitate the operations of the smuggler. 



It would not be difficult to connect Cardona, by means of a 

 canal, with the ocean ; arul thus the valuable produce of its salt 

 mines might increase the revenues of the crown, and the trade of 

 Barcelona. The channels of the Cardonero and Lobregat always 

 contain a large body of water, and might easily be rendered sub-, 

 servient to the purposes of inland navigation. Besides augmenting 

 the value of the mines of Cardona, such a plan, by facilitating the 

 intercourse with the interior of this fine province, would stimulate 

 the exertions of a people who only require an equitable govern- 

 ment to become highly industrious* 



It yet remains that I offer a few remarks on the nature of the 

 country around Cardona, as materials for its geology. 



Its general appearance is mountainous. The mountains are 

 abrupt, but generally wooded. The vallies are narrow, and, 

 where the declivities will permit cultivation, they produce abundance 

 of good grapes and some corn. In coming from Barcelona, the 

 traveller leaves, at a small distance on the left, the majestic Mont- 

 serrat ; and gradually approaches a mountain chain proceding from 



