SERPENTINES. 
29 
ornamental stones of this country. The variegated colours on 
which its elegance depends, are usually dark rich shades of red 
and green, irregularly mingled, and often relieved by white 
veins of steatite or soap-stone. Near to, and to the eastward of, 
Cadgwith a very beautiful variety of reddish serpentine occurs, 
studded with brilliant laminae of bastite, a hydrous silicate of 
magnesia and iron, known also as Schiller spar. Both the 
serpentine and the associated steatite are essentially hydrous 
silicates of magnesia, the former usually containing more or less 
iron. Serpentine is in most cases a product of the alteration of 
rocks rich in olivine — a silicate of magnesia and iron — but it 
may also result from the alteration of augitic and hornblendic 
rocks. 
For purposes of ornament this elegant stone is well adapted, 
being moderately soft, but not brittle, and therefore, easily worked, 
while it is sufficiently hard to receive an excellent polish. There 
are few spots around the British coast more beautiful and 
grand than Kynance Cove near the Lizard, where the serpentine 
rock in all its varied dyes, is polished by the beat of the Atlantic 
waves, and, in contrast with the white sands of the shore, is 
rendered still more striking and characteristic. 
Formerly the steatite, from the “ Soap Stone Bock,” near 
Mullion, was sent in considerable quantities to Bristol, where it 
was used in the manufacture of carbonate of magnesia ; and at 
one period it was employed at Worcester in the manufacture of 
porcelain, but it is no longer worked for either purpose. 
Irish Serpentines. — Screen A. Pilasters JS T os . 42 and 142. 
Slabs, Columns, &c., 20, 82, 91, 185, and 199. 
Serpentine frequently occurs in intimate association with 
limestone, forming a mixed rock, often of great beauty, known 
generally as ophicalcite. The celebrated vert antique, or the 
verde antico of the Italians, is a rock of this kind. Somewhat 
similar serpentinous marbles occur in Ireland, especially in 
Galway and Donegal, which afford beautifully variegated green 
and while specimens. The green Connemara marble, known 
to architects as “ Irish Green,” is obtained at Ballinahinch, 
Letterfrack, and other localities in Galway, the most valuable 
quarries being situated near Clifden, whence this material is 
exported. A very fine slab (No. 20) is exhibited from Lissoughter. 
It should be remembered that ophicalcite is not suited for out- 
door work in this climate. 
Anglesey Serpentine. — Pedestal No. 14. 
Among the ancient rocks of Anglesey a greenish serpentine 
occurs at several localities, frequently associated with limestone. 
An example of this green serpentinous marble is furnished by the 
pedestal before us, from Rhoscohn near Holyhead. 
