dered as the actual transmutation of the iron into copper. Hutchinson speaks of this transmutation having been attempted as early as 1571, in Dorsetshire; but, though the process was simple, it does not appear that for some years any experiment satisfactorily succeeded in the Parys mines. Parry, in his comprehensive little work, has the following paragraph showing the chemical process now adopted at the mines::- "The celebrated mineral waters of these mines are found to hold in solution a great portion of sulphate of copper, which is separated in the following manner:- -Extensive dams are created, to contain the water, in which are ranges of square pits filled up with iron and tin clippings, imported from all parts. The water is then made to flow from the dams, where several old miners are kept employed in agitating the remnants of iron. A slow and continued action takes place, by which the iron is gradually dissolved, leaving nearly an equal quantity of oxide of copper precipitated in its stead. The water is then run off, after having been reduced to a standard of seven or eight grains, into long shallow pools, when it is strongly impregnated with sulphate of iron. In these pools a precipitation of iron takes place, which, being collected and dried, is sold as yellow ochre, and generally used as the Venetian red."

About six miles from the Parys mines there are some very beautiful varieties of red and green serpentine, in beds of great thickness, not exceeded "in beauty and durability by the most costly marbles of Italy and the Pyrenees."

LLANELIAN,

A village two miles east of Amlwch, near Point Lynas, is noted for its wakes and sanitary well. The church is dedicated to St. Geimiad, or the Bright, who lived in the fifth century, and who was the British Hilary. It has a steeple, consisting of a tower surmounted by a spire a unique ornament in the island. The wakes, commonly called Gwyl Mab Saint, used formerly to continue for three weeks, but now they are confined to two or three days. They have their attractions still, for they are generally crowded by young and old from the adjacent district, and also by many from distant parts of the Principality. The Holy Well, Ffynnon Elian, is nearly dried up; but pilgrims, strong in faith, if not in health, still resort to it. A

curious closet of wood, in the old chapel adjoining the church, is yet in the east wall, and called St. Elian's chest or poor-box. 'People out of health put their offerings to the saint, through a hole in the wall, into this box. The doorway into the wooden closet measures only three feet long, four feet high, and eighteen inches wide. Persons wishing to know their future destiny enter this small doorway, and, if they can pass through and turn themselves round in doing so, it bodes them good luck; but, if otherwise, woe be to them! At the annual wakes it is truly laughable to behold a fellow, of heavy weight, striving to creep into these narrow confines with as much confidence as a stripling: his want of success throws him into a passion, which excites the laughter of the spectators, and a fight has sometimes occurred. Young persons of both sexes assemble here from distant parts; and, when a betrothed couple can squeeze themselves through, they are to be happy for life!"

The distance from Llanelian to Holyhead, and from Llanelian to Beaumaris, is nearly equal,—about twenty miles; but, by gaining the Bodorgan station on the Chester and Holyhead railway, and returning by that route to Bangor, the tourist will obtain a wide and magnificent view of Lleyn and the Snowdonian range. The vast alpine region, on a clear day, stands boldly out to view, and impresses the mind with the grandeur and sublimity of the giant mountain heights. Before we change our route from this railway, we consider it a duty to express our approval of the zeal and caution manifested by the officers connected with it on all parts of the line. Looking at it as the great national road between England and Ireland, it is important to know that its good management is zealously upheld, and that the utmost attention is paid to the comfort and security of the thousands who are compelled to travel by it. As a work of engineering skill, it ranks with the best railways of the day, and, in many respects, has a higher claim to admiration than any other in the kingdom. The entire formation of the line was entrusted to Robert Stephenson, and he has executed the difficult task assigned to him in a manner eminently worthy of his talents and justly-distinguished

name.

Having taken leave, for the present, of railway conveyance (the line between Bangor and Caernarvon not yet having been completed), the tourist will have to proceed to the latter town, which is justly the boast of North Wales, by one of the coaches which ply daily between the two places. Vehicles of all sorts are abundant in Bangor, and the distance between the two towns is only nine miles.

The name of this leading town in North Wales, looked upon as the capital of the Principality, is derived from Caer, a walled or fortified town, yn, in, and Arvon, a district so called from its situation; and taken from ar, opposite, and Môn or Mona, the island of that name. The town was raised on the ruins of Segontium. Caer Segont, or old Caernarvon, was anciently the seat of the princes of North Wales, for King Cadvan resided here about the year 625, where also Cadwall, his son, who was so great a scourge to the Saxons, and his grandson, Cadwaladr, successively resided. Caradog also, and his son Octavius, who was made Governor of Britain by Constantine the Great, resided here prior to that time; and Helen, wife of the emperor Maximus, and daughter of the said Octavius, was born at Caer Segont. Publicius, the founder of Llanbelig, is said to have been the son of Maximus and Helen; and Cynan Meriadog, cousin to Helen, succeeded his uncle Octavius as Duke of Cornwall.

The site of the Roman Segontium is at Llanbeblig, within half a mile of Caernarvon. It occupies a quadrangular area of about seven acres, on the summit of an eminence gradually sloping on every side, and was defended by strong walls of masonry, of which, on the south