pipevein (pipvan)

A mode of occurrence of metalliferous ores somewhat common in, but not limited to, the lead-mines of Yorkshire and Derby shire, England. In the so-called "pipes" the ore occupies a more or le nearly cylindrical or pipe-shaped cavity, usually quite irregular in its dimensions, and rarely of any considerable length. Pipe-veins resemble "gashveins" in some respects; and they also have certain peculiarities in common with the "carbon as" of the Cornish mines. The principal shoot of tin ore in the East Wheal Lovell Mine, Cornwall, was followed from the 40-fathom level down to the 110-fathom as one continuous pipe, in the shape of a long irregular cylindroid with an approximately elliptic section, the dimensions of which were about 14 by 7 feet. Le Neve Foster.