Geological Relations of the East of Ireland . 219 
breadth, and six feet high ; the surface of the ore being covered 
close in all other parts. The kiln thus formed a retort upon a 
large scale. Firing was now placed in the apertures, and continued 
until the ore in the vicinity acquired a red heat, when the openings 
were stopped, and the process of sublimation, which commonly 
lasted six weeks, was left to go on spontaneously. When the work 
was well managed, a nucleus of rich yellow or grey sulphuret of 
copper, surrounded by brownish red oxide of iron, might be found 
in each piece of the burnt ore. In this state, the ore being steeped 
in water, a solution of sulphate of copper was obtained, and the 
copper precipitated by iron ; and the kernels of the sulphuret, that 
remained without decomposition, were separated from the slimy 
oxide by washing. 
The crude sulphur deposited in the receivers was refined and cast 
into cane or roll brimstone. In this state it sold during the war for 
between twenty and thirty pounds per ton.* 
§ 117. On the south of the Ovoca, the structure is analogous to 
that on the north of that river; (see PI. 8. No. 7.) In Ballygahan, 
considerable researches were made by the Cronebane Company, but 
without advantage. In Ballymurtagh, extensive works were carried 
on by Mr. Whalley during a part of the last century, and a large for- 
tune was acquired ; but later speculations have been unprofitable, al- 
though the old bottoms, which are about thirty fathoms deeper than 
the level of the river Ovoca, were freed from water. In Kilcashel, 
some trials have been made, and copper ore met with, but the estate 
has not been fully explored. Indications of copper in Avondale, 
and of lead in Knockanode, have also appeared, but only in the 
form of slight strings. 
§ 118. At Came, in the county of Wexford, a lead mine was 
* The fee and mines of Cronebane are now on sale. 
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