REPORT OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST. lxXV 



GRAPHITE, OR PLUMBAGO. 



In the Central Mineral Kegion are deposits of limited extent of an 

 impure graphite in shales and schists. In view of the larger deposits 

 of pure material in other localities it is not probable that this will be of 

 much value. 



SOAPSTONE. 



This highly infusible stone, which is used as firestone in stoves, 

 hearths, and furnaces, is found in large quantities. One of the best 

 exposures is about two miles south of west from Smoothing Iron 

 Mountain, and the most favorable districts for its further occurrence 

 are that between House and Smoothing Iron Mountain and the King 

 Mountains, and to the west of that area in Liano and Mason counties ; 

 also southeast in Llano, Gillespie, and Blanco counties. As a lining 

 for furnaces and other purposes which do not require a very firm texture 

 this material is fully adequate, and it can be cut or sawed into blocks or 

 masses of any desired shape, with a perfectly smooth surface if desired. 



MICA. 



While mica is a very abundant mineral in both the Central and 

 Trans-Pecos regions, it is not commonly of such transparency and size 

 as to be commercially valuable. Specimens are "in the Museum, how- 

 ever, from both localities which combine these requisites, and it is en- 

 tirely probable that workable deposits may be found. It is used in 

 stove fronts, lanterns, etc., also in the manufacture of wall paper and as 

 a lubricant. 



ASBESTOS. 



Asbestos has often been reported from the Central Eegion, and many 

 specimens have been received bearing that name. Upon examination 

 this is found to be fibrolite, and may answer for many purposes for 

 which asbestos is used as refractory material, but not for the finer uses 

 of the manufacture of cloth, etc. 



ROAD MATERIALS. 



Among the various materials suited for road making are the large 

 gravel deposits which are found in many portions of the State ; some 

 of the quartzitic sandstones which occur in the Fayette Beds ; the 

 eroded flints of the Cretaceous ; some of the firmer limestones of the 



