The Lode[60] of the mine may be seen cropping out, in the group of rocks beneath the engine. The ore is the grey and yellow sulphuret of copper, mixed with the oxide of tin,[61] of which she[62] has already "turned up" a sufficient quantity to afford a very handsome premium to the adventurers. In the grey sulphuret of this mine, purple copper ore, of the kind called by the Germans "Buntkupfererz," is frequently met with. Besides which, a great number of interesting minerals may be collected, as several varieties of Jasper; arborescent native Copper; Jaspery iron ore; Arseniate of Iron, which until it was discovered in the Crown lode of Botallack, was unknown in St. Just. It is of a brown colour, and is crystallized in cubes. Sulphuret of Bismuth, imbedded in Jasper; beautiful specular iron ore; hæmatitic Iron; and the hydrous oxide of iron, in prisms terminated by pyramids, and which was supposed by the Count de Bournon to contain Titanium. The picturesque rocks of this district may be considered as composed of Hornblende rock, which will be found to alternate with slate. The contorted appearance of the former in the vicinity of Botallack is very singular, and will admit of much speculation. The Crown rocks, to which the mineralogist must not neglect to descend, consist of extremely compact Hornblende rock, in which occur numerous veins and beds of different minerals; viz. veins of Garnet rock, with numerous imbedded crystals, being at one part almost a foot in width; Magnetic Iron Pyrites, massive, in beds, near the engine; its colour is bluish-grey, and it is called by the workmen Spelter, who mistake it probably for Blende, which latter mineral also occurs here in considerable quantities. In a part of the rock, which is almost inaccessible, there is a vein of Epidote, distinctly crystallized, and about six inches wide. The miners, however descend the fearful precipice without any difficulty, in order to collect specimens for the inquisitive visitant. Axinite also occurs in veins, or perhaps in beds; Thallite, Chlorite, Tremolite, and a black crystallized Schorl, in which the late Rev. William Gregor detected six per cent. of Titanium, are to be found also in this interesting spot.
Cape Cornwall is the next object of interest after Botallack. This point of land stretches out to the west, at an elevation of two hundred and thirty feet, and forms the northern boundary of Whitsand Bay (p. [88]). It is entirely composed of a slaty rock, traversed by numerous veins of Actinolite. To the geologist this spot will be interesting, since on the shore beneath, a junction may be observed between the Granite of the Land's End, and the slate of this promontory.[63] These formations are separated by a large vein of metalliferous quartz, which forms the lode of the mine in the neighbourhood, called "Little Bounds," and whose engine suspended in the cliff above, constitutes a very striking feature in the scenery. This vein, besides Oxide of Tin, for which it is worked, contains Native Copper, different Oxides of Iron, Red Jasper, Quartz of a bright brownish red colour, and Scaly red Iron ore, sometimes investing Quartz, and occasionally in small masses consisting of red cohering scales, which are unctuous to the touch.
Mr. Carne states, that in this mine three distinct lodes, distant from each other, have been worked under the sea; two of them being in granite, the third in slate. Here also, at two parts of the lode, known by the name of "Save-all's lode," probably, as the name would seem to imply, in consequence of the avarice of the miner, a communication has been made between the sea and the mine; one of them is at about high water mark at spring tides; the other is covered by the sea at every tide, except at very low neaps; great and constant attention is therefore necessary for the security of this latter breach. At first the opening was stopped by a piece of wood covered with turf; but as this defence was not found to be sufficiently secure, a thick platform caulked like the deck of a ship, was ultimately placed upon it, and which renders it nearly water proof. The breaking of the waves is heard in all the levels of the mine, and in the part directly beneath the pebbly beach, the rolling of the stones in boisterous weather produces a most terrific effect. In the drift at the forty fathom level, which is carried a considerable way under the sea, Mr. Chenhalls, the intelligent agent of the mine, had formerly observed a successive formation of Stalactites; in consequence of which statement, Dr. John Davy and Mr. Majendie were induced to visit the spot. It had been closed for two years previously, but before it was shut up Mr. Chenhalls had carefully removed all the Stalactites which then existed. Upon examination it was observed that a fresh crop had been produced during the interval just stated; some of which were eighteen inches in length, and above an inch in diameter. The Stalagmites directly underneath them were of still larger dimensions; both however had the same yellowish-brown colour, and were found to consist of Peroxide of iron. Specimens may be seen in the cabinet at Penzance. Dr. Paris has suggested that they resulted from the decomposition of Pyrites, forming, in the first instance, a soluble Sulphate of iron, but which, by attracting farther oxygen, deposited its base in the form here discovered.
At a little distance southward of Cape Cornwall, is a high rocky promontory called Caraglose Head, from which the traveller may command one of the most interesting views in this part of Cornwall. On the north are Cape Cornwall, and the romantic machinery of Little Bounds Mine. Southward and directly under the head, the interesting creek called Pornanvon Cove, with the engine of Huel St. Just Tin Mine near the sea shore. Westward, on a clear day, the Scilly Islands may be distinctly seen. This is a spot seldom visited by strangers, but with the exception of Botallack, it is certainly one of the most striking in the district of Saint Just. At Pornanvon Cove, a stratum of sea sand and pebbles may be seen in the cliff, at an elevation of fifteen feet above high water mark!
Advancing from the coast into the interior of the country towards Saint Just's Church-town, Dr. Berger observed many blocks of Schorl rock[64] scattered on this part of the granitic plain, particularly amongst the rubbish of some old tin mines, which are here very numerous, but are now quite deserted.
Saint Just Church Town. Nothing of any interest is to be seen at this place, except a very ancient cross, a sketch of which we shall introduce at the conclusion of the present chapter; and the remains of an ancient Amphitheatre.
In this, and similar "Rounds," as they are provincially called, the ancient British assembled, in order to witness those athletic sports, for which the Cornish are still remarkable; indeed, at this very day, wrestling matches are held in the amphitheatre at Saint Just, during the holidays of Easter and Whitsuntide.[65]
The Antiquary ought not to quit this parish without visiting the "Botallack Circles;" when examined separately they do not differ essentially from that at Bolleit, or at Boscawen Un before described (p. [81]); but they intersect each other and form a confused cluster; "but in this seeming confusion," exclaims Dr. Borlase, "I cannot but think that there was some mystical meaning, or, at least, distinct allotment to particular uses; some of these might be employed for the sacrifice, others allotted to prayer, others to the feasting of the priests, others for the station of those who devoted the victims; and lastly, that these circles intersected each other in so remarkable a manner, as we find them in this monument, might be to intimate that each of these holy rites, though exercised in different circles, were but so many links of one and the same chain, and that there was a constant dependance and connection between sacrifice, prayer, holy feasting, and all the several parts of Druidical worship."