MINERALS. 483 



sometimes radiating from a center. The crystals also cleave easily. Epidote and zoisite are found in Ver- 

 mont in Berkshire, Enosburgh, Woodstock, Chester, Norwich, Wardsboro, Westminster, and Middlebury. 

 In Cabinet under Nos. 226 to 240 inclusive. 



Wad. This is an earthy oxyd of manganese, which occurs without a crystalline form, and is not of a 

 definite chemical composition. It consists mainly of oxyds of manganese and water, some oxyd of iron, 

 and often alumina, silica, lime or baryta. Its color is black, bluish or brownish-black. It occurs as a 

 marsh deposit, and in some instances has been regarded as the product of decomposing brown spar. 

 Sometimes it is used as a coarse pigment, and sometimes in the manufacture of glass. It occurs in Vermont 

 at Moretown, Monkton, Topsham, Poultney, Norwich, Pomfret, Irasburgh, Lowell, Warren. Nos. 131, 

 132 and 133 in the Cabinet are specimens of wad from three localities in Vermont. 



Glassy Actinolite. This is merely a variety of hornblende, which will be described in another part of this 

 Report. It occurs in light-green, bladed crystals, which break easily across the prism. The green color 

 is said to be due to the iron present. It is one of the most attractive minerals occuring in Vermont, 

 since it is found in the steatite or talc of nearly a white color, which forms a very beautiful contrast with 

 the shining green actinolite. It is found in Warren, Waterville, Reading, Bethel, Cavendish, Readsboro, 

 Marlboro, Newfane, Townshend and Windham. Specimens of it can be seen in the State Cabinet under 

 Nos. 187 to 196 inclusive, and 201. 



Mispickel, or Arsenical Iron, is a mineral of a grayish-white color (between silver-white and slate-gray), 

 with the primary form a right rhombic prism. Its composition is arsenic, sulphur, iron, and in some 

 specimens a trace of cobalt. This occurs in Vermont at Brookfield, Waterbury, Stockbridge, Vershire, 

 and Bethel. No. 37 in the Cabinet is a specimen of Mispickel. 



Copperas. This mineral generally occurs in stalactite reniform masses and crusts, though its crystalline 

 form is referable to the oblique rhombic prism. Its color is green passing into white, becoming yellow on 

 exposure. It is a sulphate of iron in chemical composition, and is generally found as an efflorescence from 

 decomposing pyrites. It occurs at Straiford, Shrewsbury and Corinth in connection with the decomposing 

 pyrites. \ 



Galena, or Sulphuret of Lead. Galena crystalb'zes in cubes, and has a very perfect cleavage of the cube. 

 Its composition is simply sulphur and lead, its luster metallic, and its color lead-gray. When found in the 

 older rocks it is usually associated with silver, sometimes containing 70 ounces to the ton, when it is called 

 a rich argentiferous galena. If the amount does not exceed 10 ounces to the ton, it will not pay for the 

 extraction. The best localities for lead in this country are in Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. In 

 one locality not exceeding 50 yards square, 3,000,000 Ibs. of lead have already (1857) been extracted. Gale- 

 na occurs in Vermont in Corinth, Thetford, Chittenden, Bridgewater (where it contains silver 25 oz. to the 

 ton), Plymouth, Brandon, Morristown (rich in silver.) It can be seen in the Cabinet under Nos. 11 to 17 

 inclusive. 



Magnetite, or Magnetic Iron Ore. This mineral is ordinarily seen in octahedrons, but its primary form is 

 a cube; it has a metallic luster. It is an oxyd of iron, and one from which is usually made the best of iron. It 

 is especially good for the manufacture of steel. As its name implies, it shows magnetic properties, when 

 placed near or in contact with a magnet. It occurs in Vermont at Middlebury, Warren, Brighton, 

 Berkshire, Enosburgh, Troy, Lowell, Craftsbury, Pomfret, Rochester, Bethel, Bridgewater, Cavendish, 

 Chester, Norwich, Plymouth, Ludlow, Somerset, Marlboro, Shrewsbury, Chittenden, Corinth, Strafford, 

 and Mendon. It may be seen in the Cabinet under Nos. 55 to 61. 



Native Copper. This when crystallized has the primary form of the cube. Octahedral crystals are 

 sometimes found. As its name implies, it is of pure copper. Often it is associated with native silver, and 

 in some of the Lake Superior mines this is found in as great quantities as 7 or 8 per cent. It is found in 

 Vermont at Strafford, Vershire and Bridgewater. The only specimen in the State Collection is from 

 Strafford, and is No. 5. 



Fasciculitc (included under hornblende.) 



Bog Ore. This is but a variety of limonite, which is known as the hydrous peroxyd of iron. It does 

 not occur in a crystalline form, but is cither stalactitic, botryoidal or marnniilkry, with a fibrous structure. 



