230 ON THE MINES AND MINERAL 



3.— Alum. 



Alum has not (as far as I know,) been yet found in Europe, other- 

 wise than associated with the argillaceous schists. In America, how- 

 ever, a notice lately appeared, to which some degree of interest seemed 

 to attach, of its having been . found in micaceous schist. Our mountains 

 afford another example of this fact. Near Almorah, in the bed of the 

 Cosilla, it may be seen as an extensive efflorescence on mica slate, and 

 it is probable that, by quarrying and lixiviating the rock, profitable quan- 

 tities of the mineral might be obtained. From observations made 

 when I was occupied in other duties, and not so precise as to the exact 

 nature of the mineral, I think it probable that there are many similar 

 examples of its occurrence, and that it is by no means rare in our moun- 

 tains. 



. 4. — Situmen. 



*v Bitumen occurs, but in no great quantity, if we may judge from the 

 price it bears. It exudes from the crevices of a lime-stone rock, on the 

 summit of the range between the Sarju and the Rdwigangd. On ex- 

 posure to the air it hardens. It is used by the natives as a medicine. 



5. — Graphite. 



-co eThis substance has been found in round nodules of sizes, from one 

 to three inches in diameter, scattered on the summit of a ridge composed 

 of a highly carburetted micaceous schist. No bed, or mass in situ has 

 been yet observed ; but there is little doubt of the existence of such from 

 considering the character of the rock, combined with the mode of occur- 

 rence of the mineral. Many of the nodules are more or less contaminated 

 with quartz and mica, while, in one specimen, there were portions of quartz 

 that had much the appearance of veins. 



r '.-—t; , Almost 



