MINERALOGY. 29 



ACIDIFEROUS EARTHY MINERALS. 



CARBONATE OF LIME. 



This is a very abundant mineral in the Provinces and 

 embraces several varieties. 



STALACTICAL CARBONATE OF LIME. 



All the limestone caves have stalactites hanging from 

 their roofs ; and stalagmites rai-sed on their floors. The 

 Siamese Karens often bring over bits of limestone of the 

 shape of a shell, and when broken, a shell usually of the 

 genus melania appears, that has been encrusted with car~ 

 bonate of lime. Much of the alabaster of which ornaments 

 are made is stalagmite ; but all the alabaster images of 

 this coast are made of marble ; and not of compaci 

 gypsum, which they much resemble. 



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GRANULAR LIMESTONE. 



This is the marble of which the images of Gaudama 

 are formed, which are usually called alabaster images 

 It is a primitive limestone which has not hitherto been 

 iound in the provinces ; but is abundant near Ava 



COMMON LIMESTONE, 



All the limestone of the provinces that I have met with, 

 belongs to the older secondary formation ; which pro- 

 duces what is usually denominated common limestone. 



Of the specimens sent to Dr. Ure by Mr. Blundell, he 

 said : " The limestone from Tavoy has a specific gravity oi 

 2-7, and is a perfectly pure, semi-crystaline carbonate 

 of lime, akin to statuary marble. It is well adapted to act 

 as a flux in the melting of iron. The limestone of Mer- 

 gui has a specific gravity of 2-7 ; it is a pure calcareous 

 carbonate." 



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