414. W. M. Fontaine— West Virginia Asphaltum Deposit. 
There is a considerable lateral pressure exerted on the min- 
eral from the tendency of the walls to close in. As it is 
celain is orownish black, nearly quite black. This portion, as 
well as the inner, is very friable, causing the production of fine 
powder on handling 
tl e change in color and luster of the inner apie 
seems mainly due to the greater fineness of the texture, gi 
stated, this inner portion seems in its thickness to be ™ 
independent of the width of the crevice than the outer portion ; 
es, this 1s 
18 inches, 
even in the most massive portions of the deposit. mee 
which 
edded. We 
Hliant black 
show that 
this modification of the mineral is a species 
produced next to the cvoling or evaporating suriace. ‘ont 
These imbedded fragments are always colored throug 
