Gypsum in Kansas. 
BY Oy ARG Gist VS LBW 
With Plates LIT) TV, Vv, Vi. 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. 
Gypsum (sulphate of lime), from two Greek words yn earth, 
and efw—=to concoct, is a mineral which has attracted attention 
from very early times. The transparent variety known as selenite 
was used by the ancients as a substitute for glass in windows. The 
best varieties were supposed to be in Upper Egypt and in Syria. 
It was also in favor for ornamental boxes, and for urns, in which 
lighted lamps were placed, and so threw a soft light through the 
apartments. The walls of the temple of Fortuna Seia were made 
of compact gypsum, and the interior, though without windows, is 
described as “sufficiently lighted by rays transmitted through the 
semi pellucid walls.” The writings of Theophrastus show that the 
Greeks were familiar with the use of plaster of Paris, made from 
calcining the gypsine stone in making casts. The term alabaster 
1S commonly noted in the ancient writings, and sometimes refers to 
compact gypsum and sometimes to the stalactite carbonate of lime, 
So that it is often difficult to tell from the meagre descriptions 
Which is intended. 
The earliest account of the use of gypsum as a fertilizer in the 
§round form known as land plaster is in 1768, when a German cler- 
8yman, by name of Mayer, used it with success. After this time 
there were numerous experiments made to test its efficiency and 
the faith of the workers along this line gave the appearance of 
Wonderful results. Thus one writes, that ‘‘the invariable results 
of several experiments incontestably prove that there is a most 
Powerful and subtile principle in this tasteless stone, but by what 
Peculiar agency or combination it is capable of forcing vegetation 
mM such an instantaneous and astonishing manner is a mystery 
which time reserves for others to unfold.” 
Gypsum in nature occurs ‘in five forms, all of which are found in 
the State of Kansas. 1. The earthy form, yellow or gray in color, 
(15) KAN. UNIV. QUAR., VOL. VI, NO, 1, JAN. 1897, SERIES A. 
