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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. IX. 



must not be regarded as an essential constituent any more than the 

 silica or alumina which usually accompanies it. The iron, silica, 

 and alumina, when present, are simply in a state of mixture, and 

 not chemically combined. Graphite is one of the forms of carbon, 

 that Protean element which also occurs native as the sparkling 

 diamond and the black and lustrous anthracite, and which also 

 appears in the familiar shapes of charcoal, coke, and lamp-black. 

 According to Dr. Wood's analysis of a sample of the graphite 

 used at these works, it contained upwards of 98 per cent, of pure 

 carbon, the remainder being silica with mere traces of iron and 

 alumina. Few samples have been found to contain less than 95 

 per cent. The variform character of carbon is exhibited by 

 graphite itself, for it is sometimes crystalline and sometimes 

 amorphous. The crystallised, or foliated graphite, is found occa- 

 sionally in six-sided tabular crystals, but commonly in foliated or 

 granular masses. It is chiefly obtained from Ceylon, where it is 

 found imbedded in quartz. It is also found near Moreton Bay, in 

 Australia ; in the States of New York and Massachusetts ; and 

 in Siberia. The amorphous graphite is that variety to which 

 the terms 4 plumbago' and 6 black lead' are ordinarily applied. It 

 is much softer than the crystalline graphite, and makes a blacker 

 streak on paper. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively 

 from Borrowdale in Cumberland, but the mine there is nearly 

 exhausted, and we believe is no longer worked. The bulk of 

 that used at present comes from Germany, principally from 

 Griesbach near Passau. Both varieties are used in the manufac- 

 tures of the Company — the crystalline for crucibles and the 

 amorphous for polishing powders. 



" The consumption of Ceylon graphite at the Battersea works 

 has had an extraordinary effect upon the price of the article. 

 When the Company commenced business it cost about 10/. per 

 ton, but now (1864) it cannot be bought at double that price. 

 * * * * * 



" The total quantity of graphite exported from Ceylon in 1862 

 was 40,895 cwt, of which no less than 34,730 cwt. was shipped 

 to Great Britain. The Customs returns for last year have not 

 reached us. We do not wish to be understood that the Patent 

 Plumbago Crucible Company use up all the Ceylon graphite 

 brought to the United Kingdom, but it is well known that they 

 are the principal consumers. We must now take leave of chemis- 

 try and statistics, and see what there is to be seen at the Black 

 Potteries. 



" We commence our tour of inspection at the Receiving Stores, 

 where we are shown the stock of raw material, which comprises 



