868 ■ TRAl\SACTIO^'S of the A:merican Institute. 



also found. It burns at a high temperature, without flame or smoke ; 

 is infusible before the blow-pipe, and not afiected by acids. It^ geo- 

 logical position is in (he primary rocks or altered rocks lying at the 

 base of the palaeozoic series. It is mostly disseminated in calcareous 

 or argillaceous sliales. Extensive formations of plrAnbago occur in 

 the Laurentian series of rocks in the northern part of the State of 

 New York, near the head of Lake Champlain, at Ticonderoga, Lake 

 George, and in the range across the lake, in Canada "West; 

 in the metamorphic region of Massachusetts, at Sturbridge. 

 In the gneiss of North Carolina there is an extensive forma- 

 tion ; large blocks have been quarried from this locality a few years 

 ago. England boasts of the first known and best locality, at Bor- 

 rowdale, in Cumberland, discovered in the year 1564, during the 

 reign of Queen Elizabeth. It is found there in a greenstone rock, in 

 nests and beds of clay. . From the date of this discover^', a new 

 epoch in the industrial operations of domestic economy was opened ; 

 and its importance was manifested by the mandate of the English 

 government prohibiting the exportation of graphite. In Bavaria, 

 Germany, and Bolivia, large deposits have been worked. Ceylon has 

 furnished immense quantities of the best laminated graphite. In 

 addition to those above mentioned, the United States furnishes many 

 localities, among which we may mention Morristown, N. J., Concord, 

 N. IL, Brandon, Vt., Amity and Hillsboro, N. Y, An extensive 

 deposit has been lately discovered near Saco, Me. California has 

 exported 1,000 tons of superior graphite. Greenland, Spain, Mex- 

 ico, Norway and Siberia have of late years supplied the world with 

 excellent material. Canada has furnished beautiful specimens of 

 laminated graphite from Burgess and Grenville, and much of it has 

 been disposed of in this market. Other localities could be mentioned 

 where plumbago has, from time to time, been obtained in greater or 

 less abundance. NeAv York, Ceylon, Siberia, and Bavaria are, how- 

 ever, the main sources of supply. 



Applications of Graphite. 



1. Tlie lead pencil, made from the best quality of gi'aphite, has 

 contributed more to the spread of the arts and sciences in modem 

 times than any other article that can be mentioned among the con- 

 trivances in daily use. 



2.". The black lead crucible is of immense benefit to the brass- 

 founder, assayer, and steel raanuiacturer. 



