SERPENTINE. 247 



B. Softer, and becoming 1 gradually sectile: the 

 potstone of some mineralogists. 



C. Passing- to indurated talc: the potstone of 

 others, and enumerated und^r the head of talcose 

 schist. 



Common Serpentine is noted for the variety 

 of its colours, which are either simple, or va- 

 riously intermingled, in clouds, spots, or veins. 

 The prevailing colours are, green of various 

 hues, black, brown, dark red, and purplish 

 brown : yellow, pink, lilac, and pale grey, are 

 more rare. The variations which result from 

 the admixtures of these in different modes are 

 infinite. It varies further in aspect, from being 

 intersected by veins of noble serpentine, steatite, 

 asbestos, or calcareous spar, or from containing 

 the imbedded minerals to be enumerated at the 

 end of this article. 



SECOND DIVISION. Translucent* 



A. Noble serpentine of some mineralogists. 



a. Foliated and splintery. 



b. Conchoidal, or splintery conchoidal. 



The colours of this variety are more limited, 

 and are generally the following modifications of 



