MINERALOGY, 2/ 



ery of localities. It is best recognized by heating a bit in an open glass 

 tube, when it will be seen to fuse without difficulty, and to emit white 

 fumes, which condense as an amorphous sublimate, while fumes of sul- 

 phurous acid emerge from the end of the tube, recognizable by their 

 reaction on litmus paper, and by their smell. 



9. Molybdenite [Mo, S2]. 



This mineral, though not elsewhere common, has been found in abun- 

 dance in this state. At Westmoreland there is a large vein of the massive 

 mineral occurring in the crystalline rock, from which large amounts have 

 been taken, and which has furnished specimens for every mineral cabinet 

 in the country. At Landaff and Franconia it is often found in beautiful 

 tabular hexagonal crystals, but ordinarily it is in a more massive condition. 

 Fine crystals are found at Whitefield, Lyme, New London, and Alstead. 

 Other localities are Orford, Newport, Warren, Jackson, Effingham, and 

 Grafton. 



This mineral, when first found, was by some confounded with graphite, 

 and, as graphite, the attempt was made to utilize it ; but the crucibles 

 that were made of it fell to pieces in the process of baking. Its lustre 

 and streak are somewhat different from graphite, but it is easiest recog- 

 nized by the green flame that it imparts to the blow-pipe flame. Molyb- 

 dic acid is sometimes found associated with it as a decomposition product. 

 This acid, which is a very valuable chemical reagent, is made by roasting 

 molybdenite. 



10. Argentite [Ag.^, S]. 



A silver mineral once found at Cornish by Jackson was suspected to 

 be argentite, but it was not proved. As silver sulphide exists in our 

 galenas, it may possibly be found. 



II. Galenite [Pb, S]. 



Galena is a very common mineral in New Hampshire. It occurs in 

 small beds and veins, and though it has never been found in such large 

 quantities as to make it a profitable lead ore, yet the uniform presence in 

 it of varying amounts of silver has always made it a mineral of great 

 interest, and numerous attempts have been made to mine it. It is well to 



