534 STEATITE AND SOAPSTONE. 



separated from large specimens, by a knife, without falling to powder, but they will pul- 

 verize under repeated blows of the hammer. 



It is not in every bed of serpentine that the pure mineral is to be found. It may be 

 associated with foreign minerals, such as actinolite, hornblende, diallage, quartz, calcite, 

 dolomite or carbonate of magnesia. Hence, according to the abundance of the associated 

 mineral, the serpentine may be called calcareous, dolomitic, magnesitic, hornblendic, 

 diallagic, or chromiferous. Nor is the structure uniform. It may be compact, granular 

 or gneissoid. A still more curious structure is when the serpentine is a cement for 

 breccias and conglomerates, or when both the fragments and cement are of serpentine. 



The following are the prominent varieties of these magnesian rocks in Vermont : 



1. Common steatite. 5. Serpentine and Talc. 



2. Calcareous steatite. 6. Verd-antique serpentine. 



3. Green steatite or chlorite. 7. Actinolite rock. 



4. Compact serpentine. 8. Hornblende rock. 



The common steatite may be found at every soapstone bed in the State. When it is connected in any 

 way with limestone or dolomite, the steatite often takes some of the carbonate into its composition, and 

 effervesces when acid is placed upon it ; though its calcareous character would not have been suspected. 

 Such is the steatite at Levi Lawrence's, in Ludlow. 



It is much more common to find the steatite of a decidedly green color and fibrous aspect, like chlorite. 

 It is foliated talc. Indeed some of the best steatite in the State is of this description. Localities of it are 

 at Rochester, Marlboro and Bethel. 



The compact serpentine embraces two minor varieties, the common opaque serpentine, and the translu- 

 cent, delicate-green, precious serpentine. In compactness there is great variety, though not so much in 

 hardness. Some specimens break with great difficulty, others yield quickly to the hammer. The latter 

 varieties are the ones that are most valuable for ornamental purposes. 



As the steatite and serpentine are so often associated together, it is not surprizing that many large masses 

 should be a mixture of the two minerals. Such is the mixture of serpentine and talc. The talc may be 

 either foliated, or be present in its impure form of steatite. Suites of specimens may be obtained at such 

 a bed as that in Newfane, which will embrace every possible variety between steatite and serpentine. 



Verd-antique serpentine is a beautiful mixture of serpentine, dolomite, and sometimes chlorite and talc. 

 It may be a brecciated mass, and the spaces will be filled with dolomite, and crystals of other minerals. 

 The name is given from its resemblance to the rich, dark Verd-antique porphyry of the ancients. It is 

 found in Vermont at Eoxbury and Proctorsville. 



Actinolite is so common in many localities, that the mass may appropriately be called actinolite rock. 

 It consists of a mixture of actinolite and talc, and passes both into serpentine and into hornblende rock. 

 The latter is mostly pure hornblende without admixture with any other mineral. It is massive, and yet 

 has a crystalline structure. It is of a black color, with a greenish tinge. It is conspicuous on account of 

 its curious developments. It occurs in large nodular-like masses, often suddenly disappearing, and then 

 as quickly reappearing. In Grafton and Moretown are good examples of this rock. 



Other minerals associated with these magnesian rocks, but not in sufficient amount to form rocks, are 

 asbestus, massive garnet, compact feldspar, carbonate of magnesia, magnetic iron or native magnet, chromic 

 iron, green and white talc, brucite, diallage, calcite, dolomite, quartz, picrosmine, emerald nickel, brown or 

 bitter spar, magnetite. 



BEDS OF STEATITE AND SERPENTINE. 



There are at least sixty beds of steatite in Vermont, and they are in the following towns : Readsboro, 

 Marlboro, Newfane, Windham, Townshend, Athens, Grafton, Andover, Chester, Cavendish, Baltimore, 

 Ludlow, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Thetford, Bethel, Rochester, Warren, Braintree, Waitsfield, Moretown, 



