UTAH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 79 
Elaterite, wurtzellite, or mineral rubber from Utah was 
first described by Dr. Henry Wurtz, who showed that it 
is a distinct mineral. The name elaterite had been used 
previously by Dana and other mineralogists to describe © 
three different minerals of specific gravities ranging from 
0.905 to 1.2238. 
The region in which wurtzellite is found covers an area 
of about 100 square miles between Indian Canyon and 
Sam’s Canyon, branches of Strawberry Creek. This is 
about 30 miles due north of Price, Utah. 
Like gilsonite and tabbyite, wurtzellite occurs in vertical 
veins ranging in width from 1 to 22 inches and with a 
maximum length of 314, miles. It also is found about mid- 
way in the “Green River’ formation of the Eocene. The 
veins strike from N. 66 degrees E. to N. 80 degrees W. 
Ozokerite or mineral wax has been known for many 
years on account of the economic value of the large de- 
posits in Galicia, Austria. It has its name from two 
Greek words, meaning “I smell’ and “wax,” alluding to its 
odor. The only known deposits of ozokerite of commercial 
value are those in Utah and those of Galicia. 
The area known to contain ozokerite begins about two 
miles west of Colton, Utah County, and extends westward 
to about four miles west of Soldier Summit, a distance of 
twelve miles. The belt is two miles wide. This area may 
be divided into three parts: ‘near Colton, on the north 
side of Price River Valley, *near and at the east of Soldier 
Summit where the railroad crosses the crest of the plateau, 
snear Midway station on the north side of the canyon, near 
the source of Soldier’s Creek and west of Soldier’s Summit. 
The ozokerite deposits occur in shales, shaly sand- 
stones and limestone strata in the lower part of the 
“Wasatch” formation of the Tertiary. The mineral has 
been found at various positions through a section of about 
150 feet of strata. The shales are soft and friable and 
variously tinted. The sandstones are moderately soft, the 
limestones thin and brittle. 
1E.&M. J. Vol. 40, p. 431. 
717th Annual Report U.S. G. S. 
7k. & M. J. Jan. 11, 1890, p. 59. 
