Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 3.djvu/418

 reduces it into an excellent culinary salt of a snowy whiteness. In this state it is sold to the peasantry of the surrounding districts, at the rate of thirty reals vellon, or seven sh. six d. sterl. per fanega of five arrobas of Catalonia, which equal 116 pounds avoirdupois.

As there are no roads practicable for wheel carriages in this part of Catalonia, the salt is carried from Cardona on mules or asses; the only beasts of burden that could travel in safety the rugged defiles in which this district abounds. It seems a part of the perverse policy of the Spanish government to discourage the formation of proper roads, lest it should facilitate the operations of the smuggler.

It would not be difficult to connect Cardona, by means of a canal, with the ocean; and thus the valuable produce of its salt mines might increase the revenues of the crown, and the trade of Barcelona. The channels of the Cardonero and Lobregat always contain a large body of water, and might easily be rendered subservient to the purposes of inland navigation. Besides augmenting the value of the mines of Cardona, such a plan, by facilitating the intercourse with the interior of this fine province, would stimulate the exertions of a people who only require an equitable government to become highly industrious.

It yet remains that I offer a few remarks on the nature of the country around Cardona, as materials for its geology.

Its general appearance is mountainous. The mountains are abrupt, but generally wooded. The vallies are narrow, and, where the declivities will permit cultivation, they produce abundance of good grapes and some corn. In coming from Barcelona, the traveller leaves, at a small distance on the left, the majestic Montserrat; and gradually approaches a mountain chain proceding from