Graphite of Ticonderoga. 



leaving a white crust ; with borax it was partially acted on with ef- 

 fervescence. The foliated part was not at all affected per se, or 

 with borax, by the highest heat I could raise. 



100 is evolveol! The residue before the blowpip^, burned with 

 scintillations. The mineral itself is in irregular masses, present- 



the foliated graphite ; they are likewise, though more rarely, to be 



color than the foliated plumbago. 



My opinion, which I believe is warranted by the above facts, is, 

 that it is a made mineral, and most probably composed of the pre- 

 pared black lead of Ticonderoga, and powdered carbonate of lime, 

 a little charcoal being added to heighten the color, made into a 

 paste of due consistency with water or some other liquid, and 

 moulded into a proper form. If moral evidence be requisite in fa- 

 vor of this opinion, it may be remarked that these specimens are 

 not now found, save by one who derives his principal support from 

 the sale of minerals to the casual visitors of Lake George. That 

 true granular graphite has been here obtained, is proved by the as- 

 sertion of Professor Hall. But little of it being found, and that 

 little being exhausted, the above ingenious expedient was proba- 

 bly hit upon, in order to supply the demands of mineralogists who 

 are always eager to secure every known variety of a mineral. 



It may perhaps not be improper to remark here, that in June 

 last, Mr. Eaton's party on the canal, found plumbago in small 

 scales in the red marl of Salina. It sometimes exists also as a 

 thin coating (distinct from the common glazing of our slate) on the 

 argillite on the banks of the Hudson, opposite Troy, and at Crys- 

 tal Hill. 



