MR ROBERTSON ON THE IRON MINES OF CARADOGH. 701 



into the river Arras (the ancient A.raxes). The iron which is produced, al- 

 though soft, is extremely tough. It is much superior to the Russian iron, with 

 which the greater part of Asia is now supplied, and is manufactured chiefly into 

 horse-shoes, and horse-shoe nails, for which there is a great demand in Tabreez 

 and the surrounding districts, and among the Koords or Nomadic tribes who fre- 

 quent the mountain pastures in summer. The trade in it is shared between the 

 Mahomedans and the native Armenians ; and although by no means extensive or 

 deserving the name of the " Persian iron trade," it gives employment to a con- 

 siderable part of the population, in quarrying the ore, burning the charcoal, and 

 transporting these articles to the forge. 



There are numerous mines in Caradogh, affording iron-ore of the most valua- 

 ble description, and of various kinds ; but those held in the highest estimation 

 are the Jewant, Koordkandy, and Marzooly ores. 



The Jewant mine is situated in an immense vein of red iron-ore. This ore, 

 on its fracture, often exhibits streaks of prismatic colours, as if at one time it had 

 been subjected to the action of heat ; quantities of iron-sand are dispersed in the 

 interstices of the vein. 



The Koordkandy mine, situated on the summit of a very steep mountain, pro- 

 duces rich magnetic iron-ore, from a vein of great dimensions. The Marzooly 

 mine also affords excellent magnetic iron-ore in great abundance. The vein in 

 which the last is situated runs across several hills, and is in most parts 100 feet 

 in width. 



In working these mines, the richest pieces only of the ore are carried away, 

 the remainder is thrown aside. They are worked very irregularly, and without 

 concert, as there is no restriction imposed as to the mode of mining by the Go- 

 vernment. A few individuals sink a shaft through the rubbish, and excavate as 

 much as they require ; another party soon after arrive, and fill the first hollow up 

 in the course of sinking another shaft ; and in this way the rubbish is repeatedly 

 turned over, and gradually subsides and is consolidated into a mass as the ore is 

 removed from beneath, thus forming a serious obstacle to any one who might at- 

 tempt to work the vein in a more regular manner. The ore is carried to the vil- 

 lages only during the summer, as the depth of the snow in winter renders the 

 mountain paths impassable. It is there retailed to the smiths, who pm'chase a 

 horse-load of 2 cwt. for about Is. Sterling, or 10s. per ton. 



The ores above described, when smelted singly, produce that kind of iron 

 which by English workmen is called hot-short, and by the Persians salt-iron. 

 The smiths, however, by means of a mixture, produce iron of an excellent qua- 

 lity, which they term sweet-iron. The most common mixture is two parts Jewant 

 ore to one of Koordkandy, and two parts of Koordkandy to one of Marzooly. 



Materials for smelting the ore are found in an extensive natural forest which 

 occupies the central parts of the district of Caradogh. This forest covers the flat 



