94 ECONOMICAL MINERALOGY". 



COMBUSTIBLE MINERALS. 



Under this head I include certain substcinces, not gaseous, which either bum with ordinary 

 degrees of heat, and are employed as fuel, or which agree in their general chemical properties. 



SULPHUR. 



This well-known mineral, so useful in many of the arts, although for the most part confined 

 to volcanic countries, has nevertheless been found in the State of New- York. It occurs in a 

 pure form, but in small quantity, in a granitic rock near West Point ; and a few miles west 

 of that place, it has been found in a quartz rock. Small masses are also occasionally met 

 with in the gypsum beds of the western counties. The best specimens which I have seen, 

 are from Thomson's quarry in the county of Cayuga. The same mineral is not unfrequently 

 deposited in nearly a pure form by waters charged with sulphuretted hydrogen gas. 



In a state of combination, sulphur occurs abundantly in various parts of the State ; as with 

 iron, copper, zinc and lead, constituting sulphurets of these metals. Should it hereafter be 

 necessary, these ores may be advantageously employed in the production of sulphur. It may 

 be remarked in confirmation of this statement, that since the increase of the duty upon the 

 SiciUan sulphur, the English have directed their attention to the procuring of sulphur from 

 these ores. The result is, that it is confidently anticipated that they will not only thus obtain 

 an abundant supply for their own consumption, but that it will become an article of export. 

 The process, which is sufficiently simple, consists essentially in subjecting the sulphurets to 

 heat, so as to disengage the sulphur ; for the collection and purification of which, various 

 arrangements of apparatus are employed. 



ANTHRACITE AND COAL. 



There are many locahties of these important minerals in this State, which will be noticed 

 in the Second Part of this Report. Unfortunately they have not hitherto been found in quan- 

 tities sufficient for any useful purpose. Although large sums have been expended in researches 

 for these minerals, and high expectations in some instances excited, they occur only in thin 

 layers, and in geological relations which differ entirely from those of the true coal measures. 

 The only substitute for coals in this State at present knpwn, is the substance to be next 

 noticed. 



