expenses
attending it, as the supply is inexhaustible. Its component parts are
nineteen of carbon and one of iron.

It exists in such quantities, in the gneiss rocks that upon their
decomposition it is seen in bright specks like silver throughout.

This gneiss rock, when in a peculiar stage of decomposition, has the
appearance and consistency of yellow brick, speckled with plumbago. It
exists in this state in immense masses, and forms a valuable
buildingstone, as it can be cut with ease to any shape required, and,
though soft when dug, it hardens by exposure to the air. It has also
the valuable property of withstanding the greatest heat; and for
furnace building it is superior to the best Stourbridge fire-bricks.

The finest quality of iron is found upon the mountains in various
forms, from the small iron-stone gravel to large masses of many tons in
weight protruding from the earth's surface.

So fine is that considered at Newera Ellia and the vicinity that the
native blacksmiths have been accustomed from time immemorial to make
periodical visits for the purpose of smelting the ore. The average
specimens of this produce about eighty per cent. of pure metal, even by
the coarse native process of smelting. The operations are as follows:

Having procured the desired amount of ore, it is rendered as small as
possible by pounding with a hammer.

A platform is then built of clay, about six feet in length by three
feet in height and width.

A small well is formed in the centre of the platform, about eighteen
inches in depth and diameter, egg-shaped.

A few inches from the bottom of this well is an air-passage, connected
with a pipe and bellows.

The well is then filled with alternate layers of charcoal and
pulverized iron ore; the fire is lighted, and the process of smelting
commences.

The bellows are formed of two inflated skins, like a double "bagpipe."
Each foot of the "bellows-blower" is strapped to one skin, the pipes of
the bellows being fixed in the air-hole of the blast. He then works
the skins alternately by moving his feet up and down, being assisted in
this treadmill kind of labor by the elasticity of two bamboos, of eight
or ten feet in length, the butts of which, being firmly fixed in the
ground, enable him to retain his balance by grasping one with either
hand. From the yielding top of each bamboo, a string descends attached
to either big toe; thus the downward pressure of each foot upon the
be