54
the great means of fertilizing this district (z). Lower Eskdale has also the
benefit of abundance of limestone in various parts. At Holehouse on the
Esk, and Harelawhill near three miles eastward, there are considerable lime-
works, that supply the country throughout thirty miles with lime of an
excellent quality. Limestone is, indeed, every where found in this shire;
and is universally known from experience to be the great fertilizer of its
appropriate soil.
Marie also abounds in various parts of Dumfriesshire ; but it seems not to be
much used as a manure, though it be given away by the proprietors for the
purpose of manurance.
Of Clay, there is a species in Moffat which neither calcines nor splits
with the action of the greatest heat. It is used by smiths for fixing the
mouthpieces of their bellows into their furnaces, and by the country people
for making hudds for their fireplaces. This clay, when it has been hardened by
fire, and is afterwards exposed to the air, becomes again soft. It is a species of
what is called fireclay.
Of Fullers' earth, some beds have been found in the coal mines in Sanquhar,
though it appears not to have been yet applied to the uses of manufacture.
Freestone of every kind and of every colour abounds in Dumfriesshire. At
home it is applied to every useful and every ornamental purpose; and it is
exported to Ireland, and perhaps to England.
Whinstone of different kinds exists in every district of Dumfriesshire.
There is waterstone, which dresses into a fine polish. There is calm-stone and
rubble-stone and slate (a); but there seems to be none of the precious stones,
except we deem those the most precious which are the most useful.
There is marble, both fine and coarse, and of a great variety of colours and
polish, which in the affairs of variegated life are usefully and ornamentally
applied.
The higher grounds in St. Mungo parish contain  iron and copper stone.
(z) In lower Annandale there are extensive lime-works at Kelhead, Comlongan, Blacketrig, High-
muir, Cauldron Lins. There are three near Ecclefechan, several at Brownmuir, some on the estate
of Mount Annan, and Donkin's lime-works in Middlebie parish. In Dryfesdale parish there is a lime-
work where a dark coloured strong lime is manufactured.
(a) There are strata of slate in various parts of this shire. Near Moffat a quarry is wrought of
strong durable slate, having a colour between blue and grey. There is another workable strata in the
vicinity of Langholm, and there are appearances of a similar kind in upper Eskdale and in the rocks
behind Burrenswark. Flinty slate and common Alum slate are found in various parts of this shire.
Near Kirkmichael manse there is a rock of Alum slate which has interspersed through it iron pyrites.
Mineralogy of Dumfries-shire, 48-9, 78.