By far the greater part of this parish rests on serpentine, the nature
of which is beautifully displayed in Kinance Cove, where many rocks
are highly polished by the action of the waves, exhibiting a mottled
and variegated surface not unlike the skin of a serpent, from which
resemblance the rock derives its name.
Between Pradanack and the sea, and between the church and the sea,
bounded on the south by the rivulet which flows to Mullion Cove, there
are two patches of hornblende rocks, both massive and schistose. These
rocks are not of the same nature as the greenstone which occur near
the granite, but resemble those of Porthoustock, Cadgwith,
Landowednack, and other places near the serpentine: it is therefore
very probable that the analysers may detect magnesia in both the
hornblende and the felspar, of which these rocks are composed. North
of a line drawn from the church to about the middle of Bolerium Cove,
the rocks appear to belong to the calcareous series.
* * * * *
The Editor cannot pass by the mentioning of Kinance Cove without
remarking on the extreme beauty and elegance of its appearance.
Whenever the granite reaches the shore, and it does so only with some
interruptions for a few miles round the Land’s End, the cliffs are
composed of angular blocks piled on each other, seeming with masculine
strength to defy the utmost strength of the ocean. At Kinance, on the
contrary, the whole scenery appears feminine. The rocks are rounded,
smooth, polished, and variegated with beautiful colours; and although
they are of large dimensions, yet every face and every turn is
elegant; the very sand that lies between them is of the most fine and
shining texture. No one desirous of viewing the beauties of Cornwall
should neglect to visit this Cove. The serpentine formation, one of
the most rare, is highly interesting to geologists, with its
accompanying diallage, and veins of asbestos and of steatite,
frequently shot through by native copper in the form of dendrites.
Here too the botanist will find various plants besides the Erica
Vagans, peculiar, in Cornwall at least, to this formation, among which
one of the most rare is the Asparagus Officinalis; and, lastly, the
serpentine of Kinance is now turned in lathes, and made into some of
the most pleasing ornaments for chimney pieces or cabinets.