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Mining in Gwennap

Gwennap Mining In The 19th Century 

The View From Carn Marth In 1837

The Bal Maidens Chant

1871 Tools of The Cornish Miner

Mines Of The Gwennap Area

Gwennap Mining Bounds

Gwennap miners mentioned in the 1842 Royal Commision Report

Gwennap Miners on the Cornwall Miners Index

Some More Gwennap Miners

Some Gwennap Stamp Engines

Mining Articles Etc. relating to Gwennap

The Gouch (Gook) or Cornish bonnet

Michael Loam, the Inventor of the Cornish Man Engine

 

 

gwennap shafts.jpg (114682 bytes)   gwennap mines.JPG (72680 bytes) 

Gwennap Mining In The 19th Century

Over 3,000 shafts are known to have existed in the old Gwennap parish and although most have been capped there may still be shafts which lie in wait for the unwary amongst the gorse and bracken of the old mining district. The map above shows the known shafts in the United mines area of the parish. The aerial photograph is of the area of the Great Consolidated Mines. Below is a piece taken from Cornish Notes & Queries, 1906.

"In twenty one years the Consolidated Mines in Gwennap (in which parish the steam engine was first applied to real work) paid dividends amounting to £480.156, and Tresavean gave the adventurers nearly £350,000 in eleven years. For long periods together the mines in this parish ( which are of depth and have been worked for ages) produced ore to the value of £1,000 per day, and often much more. The value of the whole produce of this parish, in tin and copper in the last century, cannot it is estimated be less than £10,000,000."  

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The View From Carn Marth In 1837

 The following is a graphic description of the Gwennap mining district  written by W. Jory HENWOOD, F.G.S., in 1837.  It is to be found in Volume V of the Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall;

"To one unaccustomed to a mining industry, the view from Carnmarth,  which is a rocky eminence of 757 feet, is full of novelty.  Over a surface neither mountainous or flat, but diversified from sea to sea by a constant  series of low, undulating hills and vales, the farmer and the miner seem to  be occupying the country in something like the confusion of warfare.  The situations of the Consolidated Mines, the United Mines, the Poldice Mine, etc., are marked out by spots a mile in length by half a mile in breadth, covered with what are termed 'deads' of the mine, i.e. slaty, poisonous rubbish, thrown up in ragged heaps, which at a distance give the place the  appearance of an encampment of soldiers' tents.  This lifeless mass follows the course of the main lode (p. 241) (usually east and west), and from it, in different directions, minor branches of the same barren rubbish diverge through the fertile country, like the streams of lava from a volcano.  The miner, being obliged to have a shaft for air at every hundred yards, and the stannary laws allowing him freely to pursue his game, his hidden path is commonly to be traced by a series of heaps of 'deads' which rise up among the green fields and among the grazing cattle like the workings of a mole. 

Steam-engines and whims( large capstans worked by two or four horses) are scattered about, and in the neighbourhood of the old as well as of the new workings are sprinkled, one by one, a number of small whitewashed miners' cottages, which being neither on a road nor near a road, wear, to the eye of  a stranger, the appearance of having been dropt down apropos to nothing.

"Early in the moring the scene becomes animated.  From the scattered cottages, as far as the eye can reach, men, women and children of all ages begin to creep out; and it is curious to observe them all converging like bees towards the small hole at which they are to enter the mine.  On their arrival the women and children, whose duty it is to dress or clean the ore, repair to the rough sheds under which they work, while the men, having stripped and put on their underground clothes(which are coarse flannel dresses), one after another descend the several shafts of the mine by perpendicular ladders to their respective levels or galleries.  As soon as they have all disappeared a most remarkable stillness prevails--scarcely a human being is to be seen.  The tall chimneys of the steam engines emit no smoke, and nothing is in motion but the great 'bobs' or levers of these gigantic machines.

"As soon as the men come to grass they repair to the engine-house, where they generally leave their underground clothes to dry, wash themselves in eh warm water of the engine pool, and put on their clothes, which are always exceedingly decent.  By this time the maidens and little boys have also washed their faces, and the whole party migrate across the fields in groups, and in different directions, to their respective homes.  Generally speaking, they no look so clean and fresh and seem so happy that one would scarcely fancy they had worked all day in darkness and confinement.  The old men, tired with their work and sick of the follies and vagaries of the outside and the inside of this mining world plod their way in sober silence probably thinking of their supper.  The younger men proceed talking and laughing, and where the grass is good they will sometimes stop and wrestle.  The big boys generally advance by playing at leap-frog; little urchins run on before to gain time to stand upon their heads, while the maidens, sometimes pleased and sometimes offended with what happens, smile or scream as circumstances may require.  As the different members of the group approach  their respective cottages, their numbers, of course, diminish, and the individual survivor of a large family, performs the last few yards on his journey by himself."

 

 

 the chant of a Gwennap bal-maiden:

             "I can buddy, and I can rocky,'        
And I can walk like a man,
I can looby* and shaky
And please the old Jan."
*Toss

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1871:- TOOLS OF THE CORNISH MINER

 The Cornish miner had to find his way through rock of a very difficult character, sometimes consisting of solid granite, or elvan rock of excessive hardness. His tools were few, but they were well adapted to their job; consisting, besides those represented in the following engraving, of a small wedge or two of steel, denominated and, which is driven into the rock by the round end of the pick, for the purpose of splitting and detaching portions from the mass

                                          1        2                                     3          4        5            6         7         8         9

The instrument, No. 1, is the pick of the miner; 2, the shovel; 3, the sledge; 4, the borer; 5, the claying bar; 6, the needle, called by some the nail; 7, the scraper; 8, the tamping bar; and 9,the tin cartridge, for blasting where the rock is wet: a horn to carry his gunpowder, rushes to supply him with fuses, and a little touch-paper, or slow

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Mines Of  The Gwennap Area 

 

Important Disclaimer: This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

 

CORNWALL & DEVON Newspaper Sources

CT Cornish Telegraph  - PG Penzance Gazette - RCG Royal Cornwall Gazette - SM Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury. - 

 - PD Plymouth & Devonport Weekly Journal  - PH Plymouth Devonport & Stonehouse Herald  - PJ Penzance Journal  - 

- PN Plymouth Devonport & Stonehouse News  -  WB West Briton - WMN Western Morning News -  WDM Western Daily Mercury 

  - WM Weekly Mercury Plymouth

 

 Name of Mine

Location

  First & Last References plus other information

 Ale & Cakes

Near United Downs

mindat    SM 7.10.1782  -  WB 23.4.1841

 Barrier Mine

0

0

 Besore

 SW 785444

0

 Bell Vean

WMN  4.2.80

 Boscawen

 Kenwyn Parish

0

 Carharrack Mine

SW745413

mindat        

SM 5.8.1776  -  WB 9.9.1842

Carvannel Mine

0

WB6.4..32-16.9.1842  WMN 21.6.1860

Carvillo

0

RCG8.2.39

 Cathedral Mine

SW717415

mindat

Coffinowla

0

SM  14.10.1793 - 21.10.1893

Consolidated Mines

 0

 mindat   

SM24.4.1786   RCG18.7.1928

 Copper Hill Mine

0

mindat

 Creegbrawse & Penkivel United

 0

0

Cupboard

0

SM  29.6.1778 -  SM7.10.1782

Cusvey

0

WB 20.9.1839

East Ale & Cake

0

RCG 25.5.1811 -  WB 2.3.1827

 East Wheal Damsel

 SW741418

mindat    

WB 28.11.1828 - CT1.3.1871

 East Wheal Virgin

Located about 700 m NW of Carharrack.

mindat

East Wheal Maid

0

WB 4.12.1840 - 16.9.1842

East Penstruthal

0

WB 6.4.1832

East Ting Tang

0

SM 14.10.1793 - 21.10.1893

East Wheal Virgin

0

SM7.11.1768 - 20.4.1795

Grambler & St Aubyn

0

WB 9.4.1841 - CT 25.11.1863

 Great Briggan

0

0

Gwennap Great Copper Mines

0

SM 24.6.1793 

Gwennap Mining Company

0

WB 4.11.1825 - 5.1.1827

Little Cupboard

0

SM 29.6.1778

  Mount Wellington Mine

SW761419

mindat

RCG 20.1.1937

New Cathedral

0

WDM 26.2.1880 - WMN 31.1.1881

 New Clifford

0

0

New Consolidated

0

RCG 2.7.1814

North Penstruthal

0

WDM 26.2.1880 - CT17.4.1884

 North Hallenbeagle & East Downs

SW 728446

0

 North Wheal Damsel

See Tolcarne Mine

0

North Wheal Jewel

0

WB 4.12.1840 -16.9.1842

 Pengenna Mine

 0

0

 Pennance Consols (formerly Wheal Amelia)

0

Pennance Consols 3.JPG (41609 bytes)  

WMN28.1.1874 - 31.1.1874

 Penstruthal Mine

0

WB 21.10.1825 - WDM 18.2.1878

 Poldice

 0

mindat

SM 31.8.1767 - WB 25.4.1817

Poldyce Great & Little

0

SM 8.10.1770 - 15.10.1770.

 Poldory

near United Mines

mindat

SM 29.6.1778 - CT 1.3.1871

Roselabby

0

SM 26.4.1802 - 

Rose Lobby

0

SM 20.8.1770 - PG24.5.1843

St Day

0

WB12.6.1835

St Day United

0

PD 2.6.1853 - CT 26.9.1866

South Ale & Cakes

0

WDM 11.1.1877

South Wheal Buller

0

WB 6.8.1830 - CT 18.1.1865

South Penstruthal Mine

0

WDM 26.2.1880 - CT 17.4.1884

South Poldory Mine

0

WB 21.7.1837

 Ting Tang & Clifford Amalgamated

 SW 730410

mindat

SM 23.3.1772 - CT 19.1.1870

Tolcarne Mine

SW725422

mindat

SM 14.11.1791 - PG24.5.43

Tolgullow United Mine

0

CT 24.1.1889 - CT 31.1.1889

Treviskey Mine

0

SM1.6.1789 - 

 Tresavean & Tretharrup

 SW721394

mindat

SM 26.11.1764 - RCG 12.9.1928

Treskerby Mine

0

SM24.4.1786 - RCG 18.7.1928

Treskerby Odit

0

SM 7.11.1768 - 14.11.1768.

Tretharup

0

WB 8.11.1833 - WDM 20.5.1871

 Trethellan Mine

SW717392

mindat

SM 8.5.1786 - WMN 11.6.1860

Treviskey Mine

0

SM 1.6.1789 - PD 24.8.1848

Treviskey & Barrier Mine

0

PD 26.11.1846 - PD 28.3.1850

 West Clifford United Mine

See Ting Tang Mine

CT 22.11.1865 - WMN22.4.1874

 West Wheal Damsel

SW725410

mindat

 West Wheal Jewell

See Tolcarne

0

 West Wheal Virgin

Located about 700 m NW of Carharrack

mindat

 Wheal Amelia

0

WB 31.5.1833 - 16.9.1842

 Wheal Andrew

SW761419

mindat   WB 26.9.1834 - PG10.11.1847

Wheal Beauchamp

0

RCG 10.9.1803 - WB 15.11.1839

Wheal Bell / Bell Mine

0

SM 10.12.1781 - PG 22.10.1845

Wheal Brewer

0

WB 9.12.1836 -  PJ 15.12.1847

 Wheal Burrow

0

SM 14.10.1793 - 21.9.1793

 Wheal Bush, Creegbrawse

 SW 737436

0

 Wheal Clifford

0

mindat

WB 31.5.1833 - WMN11.4.76

Wheal Chance

0

SM 27.2.1792 - WMN 29.4.1874

Wheal Clinton

0

SM 14.10.1793 -  WB -16.9.42

Wheal Comford

0

PJ 16.6.1847 - WMN 22.1.1883

Wheal Comford & North Tresavean

0

WMN 26.1.1880 - CT 5.1.1888

Wheal Cosgarne

0

SM 12.10.1772

 Wheal Damsel

SW728417

mindat

SM 27.2.1792 - WDM 14.3.1871 

Wheal Fortune

0

SM 25.4.1785 - PG17.5.1843

 Wheal Gorland

 SW 730427

mindat    Wheal Gorland Web Site

SM 11.5.1772 - WB1.7.1842

 Wheal Grambler

near Ninnis

mindat

WB 26.8.1836 - WB 25.2.1842

 Wheal Henry

 SW 753427

0

Wheal Hope

0

RCG 2.7.1808 - PG 7.5.1845

 Wheal Jewell

SW735421

mindat  SM 11.5.1772 - PD 18.5.1848

Wheal Looney

0

RCG 17.9.1841

Wheal Lovelace

0

WB20.9.39

Wheal Luney

0

RCG 17.9.1841 - PG22.9.1841

 Wheal Maid

SW744421

mindat  RCG 24.1.1807 - WB 20.7.1827

Wheal Man Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - SM 25.1.1796

 Wheal Moyle

0

WB 23.9.1836

 Wheal Muttrell   See Wheal Gorland Web

0

mindat  SM 30.12.1793 - 21.1.1799

Wheal Trinity

0

RCG 4.7.1835

Wheal Unity Adit Adventure

0

SM 20.8.1770

 Wheal Unity   See Wheal Gorland Web

0

mindat

 Wheal Unity Wood

 SW 735437

mindat

Wheal Union

0

WB 9.2.1827 - 2.3.1827

 Wheal Virgin

see Consolidated Mines

0

 United Downs Mine

0

mindat

 United Mines

 SW 748416

mindat

Wheal Virgin

0

SM 9.11.1772  -  PG 1.2.1843

West Wheal Damsel

0

WB 28.11.1828  -  CT 5.4.1871

West Wheal Hope

0

RCG 25.5.1811 -  15.8.1812

West Wheal Jewel

0

WB 26.2.1836  -  WDM 3.3.1880

West Penstruthal

0

WB 6.8.1830  -  WB 6.4.1832

West Poldice

0

WDM 29.4.1874  -  CT 14.1.1886

West Ting Tang

0

SM 14.10.1793  -  WB 1.1.1841

West Trethellan

0

PJ 2.2.1848  -  PD 15.2.1849

West(ern) Wheal Virgin

0

SM 5.8.1776  -  PG 1.2.1843

White Works Mine

0

WB 20.9.1839

Wood Engine Mine

0

RCG 1.3.1828

0

0

0

0

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0

Gwennap Area Mining Bounds

gwennap bounds sale.jpg (57288 bytes) 

Click to see larger version.

A typical advert for the sale of shares in a Cornish mining bounds. Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury 21/01/1799.

 

Important Disclaimer: This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

 

CORNWALL & DEVON Newspaper Sources

CT Cornish Telegraph  - PG Penzance Gazette - RCG Royal Cornwall Gazette - SM Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury. - 

 - PD Plymouth & Devonport Weekly Journal  - PH Plymouth Devonport & Stonehouse Herald  - PJ Penzance Journal  - 

- PN Plymouth Devonport & Stonehouse News  -  WB West Briton - WMN Western Morning News -  WDM Western Daily Mercury 

  - WM Weekly Mercury Plymouth

 

0

 Bessow Bounds

0

RCG  5.11.03

 Benagwidden Bounds

0

RCG  5.11.03

Busvail & Carnmarth Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

Carn Single Bounds

0

WB  6.8.1830

Carharrack 13 Pair Bounds

0

SM 7.1.1799  -  21.1.1799

Carnmarth Bounds (Gwennap)

0

SM 20.10.1800 - 27.10.1800

Chengenter Bounds (Gwennap)

0

SM 20.10.1800  -  27.10.1800

Chycoose Downs Bounds

0

SM 7.1.1799  -  21.1.1899

Clomen Dish Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Cosgarne Common Bounds

0

RCG31.8.1811  - 4.1.1812

Croft Oven Bounds

0

WB6.8.1830

Croft An Wins Bounds

0

SM12.10.1795 - 19.10.1895

Croft An Win Vean Bounds

0

SM12.10.1795 - 19.10.1895

Criglaze Bounds

0

WB 6.8.1830

Cross An Weeth Bounds

0

SM  5.11.1803

Cupboard Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

East & West Bendy Bounds

0

WB 6.8.1830

East Wheal Bendy Bounds

0

SM 12.10.1795 - 19.10.1795

East Chigenter Bounds 

0

SM 12.10.1795 - 19.10.1795

Eastern Wheal Dagger Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Eastern Gibbon Bounds

0

RCG 5.11. 1803

Eastern White Holt Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

East Wheal Fat Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

East Wheal Lowson Tin Bounds

0

WB 3.11.1826

Gassick Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

Good Fortune Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Good Fortune by the Rounds Bounds

0

SM 25.1.1796

Goon Ennis Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1792 - 9.5.1791

Goon Gumpos Bounds 

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Great Goodluck Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Great Killie Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

Great Nancy Growse Bounds

0

SM 7.1.1799 - 21.1.1899

Great Wheal Gordan Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Great Wheal Whiden Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Great Poldice Bounds

0

SM 7.1.1799 - 21.1.1799

Gwennap Little Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Hale Bosveal Bounds

0

SM 12.10.1795-19.10.1795

Kelgey Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791-SM 25.1.1796

Little Angigollan Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Little Cupboard Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Little Wheal Dower Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Little Wheal Gordan Bounds

0

SM2.5.1791 - SM25.1.1796

Little Killie Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

Little Wheal Nicken Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Little Trevince Bounds Under

0

SM 7.1.1799 - 21.1.1799

Little Wheal Vloe Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - SM25.1.1796

Loome Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Menanheere Bounds

0

RCG5.11.03

Mine Bounds on the Stream

0

RCG5.11.03

Nancegallon Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Nanjigollan Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

North Wheal Small Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791-9.5.1791

North Wheal Venton Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

One Pair Bounds by John May's House

0

SM 5.11.1803

Other Mine Bounds on the Stream

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Paden An Hals Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

Parc an Chy Bounds

0

RCG 14.9.1927 - RCG16.11.1827

Park Brawse Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Park Steven Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1891

Pell Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Pennance Common Tin Bounds

0

RCG 31.8.1 811 - 4.1.1812

 Quick Come By Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

South Wheal Hawkes Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

South Wheal Plover Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

South Wheal Small Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Speedwell Bounds 

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Speedwell by the Round Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Tolcarne Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - WB 9.9.1842

Tolcarne Stamps & Stream Bounds

0

SM 20.10.1800 - 27.10.1800

Torran Carren Bounds

0

SM 12.10.1795 - 19.10.1795

Trefusis & Wentworth, ¾ of ¼ of 3 pair of Bounds 

0

WB 6.8.1830

Tresamble Downs & Croft Bounds

0

SM 7.1.1799 - 21.1.1799

Wheal Try Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

Twelve Heads Stream Bounds

0

WB 2.9.1842 - 9.9.1842

Two Cracks Bounds

0

SM 7.1.1799 - 21.1.1799

 Wheal An Call Bounds (Gwennap)

0

RCG 15.3.1817 - 22.3.1817

Wheal An Barries Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Wheal Bargus Bounds

0

SM 7.1.1799 - 21.1.1899.

 Wheal Bosveal Bounds

0

SM 12.10.1795 - 27.10.1800

 Wheal Careless Bounds

0

SM 12.10.1795 -19.10.1795

 Wheal Carloose Bounds

0

SM 12.10.1795 - 19.10.1795

Wheal Coyne Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Corne Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Wheal Crean Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5. 1791

Wheal Crease Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Creegmoor Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Creek Bounds

0

WB 2.9. 1842 - 9.9.1842

Cregewall Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Wheal Crenga Bounds

0

SM 25.1.1796

Wheal Crings Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Daisy Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Dobnan Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Drew Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Wheal Drunkard Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1891

Wheal Due Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Duthan Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Eagle Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Fat Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Fatt Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Free Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Fry Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1891

Wheal Gallis Tin Bounds

0

WB 3.11.1826

Wheal Garron Bounds

0

SM 12.10.1795 - 19.10.1895

Wheal Garrows Bounds

0

WB 6.8.1830

Wheal Grease Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Greeb Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 25.1.1796

Wheal Growse Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - CT 14.2.1866

Wheal Harbyer Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Hawke Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - SM 25.1.1796

Wheal Here Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - SM25.1.1796

Wheal Hop Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Hox Bounds

0

RCG 5.11.1803

Wheal Kite Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - 9.5.1791

Wheal Larke Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - SM 25.1.1796

Wheal Levell Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 - SM 25.1.1796

Wheal Mehale Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1791 -  SM 25.1.1796

Wheal Menin Bounds

0

SM 2.5.1