The reader will see at a glance that the range of variation permissible in fire-clays is very wide. These earths are all found close together, and are utilised for similar purposes, though often blended to produce desired results. It will be noticed that one of them (No. 6) contains as much as 83.29 of silica, whilst another has no more than 47.55 per cent. The range with reference to alumina is very wide also, from 8.10 percent. (No. 6) to 31.35. The refractory character of any sample of fire-clay is determined by the proportions in which the silica and alumina are contained, and by the absence of lime, iron, and other easily fluxible substances. The proportion of iron discovered in sample No. 2 is certainly much in excess of the requirements of the material, as a fire-clay, and this no doubt is tempered by admixture, unless utilised for inferior goods. The iron oxide in the other samples is about sufficient for general purposes. The amount of lime present in all the samples constitutes a good feature; much lime cannot on any account be allowed in earths for fire-clay goods. With so much iron present, and the fair proportions of magnesia (except in sample No. 4) these clays may be regarded as typical, with the exception of No. 6. They have been utilised for many years in the manufacture of fire-bricks and the like. _Chemical Composition of Fire-clays, from Welsh localities._ ------------+-------+-------+------- | 1 | 2 | 3 +-------+-------+------- Silica | 50.35 | 56.90 | 54.80 Alumina | 23.50 | 24.90 | 27.60 Iron oxide | 10.40 | 2.83 | 2.56 Soda | 1.55 | 3.00 | 2.00 Magnesia | 1.45 | 1.07 | 1.00 Water, etc. | 11.85 | 11.60 | 11.80 ------------+-------+-------+------- The first thing that will strike the reader on looking at these results on Welsh materials, is their uniform composition as compared with the clays from Newcastle. Yet there is as much as 10.40 per cent. of iron in sample No. 1, which cannot be a first-rate clay. Its proportion of silica to alumina is, however, excellent, and, as in sample No. 3, the amount of soda and magnesia is not excessive. The soda in sample No. 2 (which acts somewhat like lime in the kiln) taken together with the magnesia and iron in the same material, is too much for a first-class clay, and would have to be suitably modified before good results could be obtained. On the whole, it is possible that sample No. 3 would yield the best results from the chemical standpoint.