MINERALOGY.

ALTHOUGH the physical features and geology of the Lake District, as described in the former chapter, are exceedingly interesting, its extensive metallic deposits and numerous varieties of minerals possess an interest certainly not less attractive to all students and lovers of nature.

The chapter on Geology has pointed out the manner in which the whole district has been most probably formed; whilst this upon the sister science of Mineralogy will describe the various kinds of minerals to be met with, the methods of distinguishing them, and the localities in which they may be found.

The science of mineralogy is closely allied to that of geology, for not only does it include a knowledge of the rarer and more curious minerals, but takes cognizance also of many substances which frequently form the bulk of hills and mountains, (such, for instance, as granite, which, though not, strictly speaking, a mineral, is composed of the well-known minerals quartz, felspar, and mica,) as well as sand, gravel, and other alluvial deposits in the valleys, formed from the disintegration and débris of mountain masses.

Mineralogy, in short, treats of the whole inorganic part of the kingdom of nature, everything not organized by vitality being classed scientifically as a mineral. The practical object of the science is to recognize minerals either by their physical characters or by their chemical composition. By chemical analysis the constituent elements of minerals are ascertained, as well as the possible uses to which they may be applied. Whatever knowledge of the science may be obtained from books, or from the processes of the laboratory, it is still indis

pensable to those who would master it thoroughly to acquaint themselves with the modes in which minerals occur in the rocks and strata; and for this purpose those tourists who are scientifically disposed, and may be desirous to learn something of the mineralogical and metalliferous deposits of the rocks which form the magnificent scenery of the Lake Country, will find unequalled opportunities on every hand for so doing. Few, if any, of the mountainous districts of Europe surpass Cumberland and Westmorland in the productiveness of their mines, and the number and beauty of their minerals. I have endeavoured, in as concise a manner as possible, to enumerate the different varieties which have been discovered in these counties, and the more accessible localities in which they may be found. So numerous are these, that it would be impossible during an ordinary tour for anyone to visit them all, therefore those only are mentioned which lie either in the neighbourhood of towns, or within easy distance of the ordinary tourist routes. The limits of this chapter preclude much information, which may be more properly looked for in the pages of mineralogical handbooks, such as those of Dana, Phillips, Greg and Lettsom, and others. This will be apparent when I mention that, as detailed in the accompanying list, no less than forty earthy and fortysix metalliferous minerals occur in the Lake District. Such a great variety of minerals, in so limited a space as is found in this district, is, I believe, unequalled in any other part of England, if not, indeed, in the world. Roughtengill mine, on Caldbeck Fells, which will be found mentioned repeatedly in the list, yields alone no fewer than 23 distinct species or varieties; whilst Greenside mine in Westmorland, Carrock Fells near Keswick, and many of the other Cumberland mines, are but little less productive.

At Borrowdale, about nine miles from Keswick, there is the plumbago (blacklead) mine, which for years was the chief source of supply of this mineral for the manufacture of lead pencils. It is found in the green

slate, generally in nodules, or irregular, granular, kidney-shaped masses. These are generally small, but in one instance, about fifty years ago, an extraordinary mass was found, which, it is said, yielded 70,000 lbs. of pure plumbago. This mine has been closed for upwards of eighteen years, under the belief that the mineral is exhausted; a belief, the correctness of which, however, is a matter of considerable doubt.

The county of Cumberland has been long famous for its metalliferous mines. In the thirteenth century it was known for its production of copper ores, and from a charter granted by Edward IV., A.D. 1470, it appears that the town of Keswick was then the seat of extensive copper works; but after various vicissitudes these were destroyed, and the workmen and miners killed or dispersed during the civil wars. Mining enterprise being subsequently attracted elsewhere, by discoveries of copper in Cornwall, the mines of Cumberland were long neglected.

There is satisfactory evidence to prove that the lead mines of the Lake District were wrought to a considerable extent by the Romans; and they have been worked more or less continuously and extensively during the long period that has elapsed since the Roman occupation of the country. The Romans confined their operations generally to the surface deposits, seldom sinking to any great depth, and many of the mines thus "tapped" by them, not only in this district, but throughout the country, have, where properly worked in recent times, yielded very large returns. Since the district has been opened up by railways, increasing attention has been attracted to its still abundant metalliferous deposits, and new mines are being constantly sunk or old ones re-opened. From the last published Mineral Statistics,' it appears that there were in operation, in 1871, 77 lead and copper mines in Cumberland, and 12 in Westmorland.

The great peculiarity of the metalliferous deposits of Cumberland is its immense beds of hæmatite iron