30 CORNWALL like that of a fern-house under glass. There is something also about the grey lichened rocks burst- ing out of the waist-deep furze and bracken that serves to emphasize the fulness of growth. The only drawback about Luxulyan is that it lies in the china-clay country, and the stream which runs down to ugly St. Blazey is white as milk. This china-clay is one of Cornwall's most living indus- tries now that the tin-mining has declined, and the pilchards come so scantily. It is the product of decomposed granite owing to the action of fluoric acid. The works where it may be seen at its best are near Roche, on the little line between Newquay and Fowey, and here the piles of white earth might be mistaken for flour or whitening by those who did not know what they were. The clay is sent down by rail to Fowey, and the greater number of the steamers putting into that harbour are engaged in carrying it away. At Roche is an extra- ordinary rock starting sheer up from the plain. On the top was formerly a cell or hermitage, of which Norden says quaintly, " It standeth upon the wilde moares farr from comon societie." There are innumerable " singing valleys " in Cornwall, though mostly small. I call them so because of the congregation of singing-birds here
