78 MINERALS AND GEOLOGY 



where it occurs with argentiferous galena in quartz veins ; and also, 

 according to Dr. Sterry Hunt, under similar conditions at Moulton 

 Hill in Leimoxville. In Nova Scotia, mispickel is of exceedingly 

 common occurrence in the gold-bearing quartz bands, and it appears 

 invariably to be more or less auriferous. 



D. SULPHIDE OF MOLYBDENUM. 



23. Molybdenite : Light lead-grey, with greyish-black metallic 

 streak. Hexagonal in crystallization, but occurring commonly in 

 the form of small scales, or in leafy or tine granular masses. Very 

 sectile ; slightly greasy or soapy to the touch, leaving a black trace 

 on paper, and a dull greyish-green trace on smooth porcelain. H = 

 1.0 2.0 ; sp. gr. 4.4 4.8. BB, imparts (in the forceps) a distinct 

 green coloration to the point of the flame, but remains infusible. In 

 a continued blast on charcoal, however, it deposits a white coating of 

 molybdic acid on the support. Forms with carb. soda an alkaline 

 sulphide (see Part I, p. 44), by which, with other characters, it may 

 be distinguished from Graphite. One hundred parts contain : Sul- 

 phur 41, Molybdenum 59. 



This mineral is at present of little commercial value.* It occurs 

 in small scales disseminated through many of the crystalline lime- 

 stones of the Laurentian series, in the Counties of Frontenac, 

 Hastings, Peterborough, Victoria, &c. According to the Reports of 

 the Geological Survey, it has been found in much larger quantity 

 near the mouth of the River Quetachoo, in Maiiicougan Bay, on the 

 north shore of the Gulf of the St. Lawrence. It occurs also in some 

 abundance at Sea-beach Bay, near Black River, on the north shore 

 of Lake Superior, in several veins, accompanying copper pyrites in 

 quartz. Samples from this locality have yielded nearly 4J per 

 -cent, of molybdenite, or about 100 Ibs. per ton of ore, (Can. Jour. 

 Vol. X., p. 409). Terrace Cove is another locality in which molyb- 

 denite has been found on Lake Superior. This mineral occurs also 

 in quartz veins at Harvey Hill, in the Township of Leeds, in small 

 rounded masses of fine granular structure associated with copper 

 pyrites and crystallized dolomite. 



* As Molybdenite is quoted in chemical price-lists at from 50 cents to a dollar or more per 

 lb., an idea is sometimes expressed that it would pay to work, if found in sufficient quantity. 

 Inquiries, however, made in London, Paris, Hamburg, Berlin and other cities, have demon- 

 strated the fact that a very few tons would completely overstock the market. 



