399 
following is an analysis of the Ironstone in Mr. Stapylton's 
estate at Eston Hall, near Middlesbro', by the late Wm, 
West, made in February, 1851 : — 
Iron 45 
Oxygen and Carbonate Acid 15 
Silica 23 
Alumina 15 
Lime 3 
100 
I am sorry not to be able to exhibit specimens of each, but 
the two Ironstones are very different in appearance. The 
one from Eskdale is firm, heavy, dark-coloured rock ; the 
other reddish white, not particularly heavy, and looks in 
appearance like a ferruginous limestone. If these two Iron- 
stones, or, at least, if they form one bed extending from Eston 
Hall to the valley of the Esk, they ought to be found on the 
sea coast between Redcar and Whitby ; and, perhaps, a 
diligent search might amply repay. I believe also an Iron- 
stone has been found much in the same geological position 
in the Oolite of Northamptonshire, but have no particular 
information respecting it. 
Of course the value of these Ironstone mines in the Oolite 
are much diminished by their distance from coal with which 
to smelt them. Large furnaces, however, are at w r ork in the 
valley of the Esk, and others constructed near Middlesbro* ; 
but as it requires five-and-a-half tons of coal to yield one ton 
of iron, and supposing it requires two-and-a-half tons of Iron- 
stone to yield one ton of iron, therefore twice as much coal 
as Ironstone is required; it is certain, that in point of economy, 
it would be preferable to bring the Ironstone to the coal, than 
take the coal to the Ironstone. 
I conclude, therefore, that it is probable this Ironstone may 
be continuous from the valley of the Esk, twelve or fifteen 
miles, to near Eston Hall ; and that wherever the bottom of 
