MINERALOGY. 439 



irregular, changeable shades. Fracture flat, conchoidal, 

 or splintery ; shines by being rubbed. H. = 3.0. 

 G. = 2.5 to 2.6. Occurs disseminated throughout ore- 

 beds and in granular limestone, and giving it a clouded 

 green color, is known as verd-antique marble, seldom, 

 however, as a gem or crystal. The common serpentine 

 is found in Saxony, the Erzgebirge, etc., also in the 

 eastern portion of the United States, and is employed as 

 a material for tables and other ornamental in-door work. 

 Meerschaum Sea Froth. Compact, with a smooth 

 feel, somewhat greasy opaque ; color grayish-white, with 

 a faint yellowish tinge. Fracture fine, earthy ; ad- 

 heres firmly to the tongue. II. = 2.5 to 3.0. G. = 1.2 

 to 1.6. Found in Anatolia, Crimea, Spain, and Mor- 

 occo. Occurs principally in Asia Minor at the plains of 

 Eskihi-sher in stratified, earthy, or alluvial deposits.* 

 When first dug up, it is soft, has a greasy feel, and 

 lathers like soap, and on this account is used by the 

 Tartars for washing their linen ; also employed for mak- 

 ing the bowls of Turkish pipes, by a process like that 

 for pottery ware. These bowls are imported into Ger- 

 many in their rude state, and are there prepared for 

 sale by softening them first in tallow, then in wax, and, 

 finally, polishing them. 



FOURTH ORDER. 

 LIME. MAGNESIA. 



I. Cole Family. Lime or Limestone occurs either 

 in crystals as calcareous or calc spar or else in compact 



* Aphrodite and Qtdncite are varieties found in France. 



