10 



INTRODUCTION. 



Carbonate of lime, confusedly crystalized, forms a common species of building stone in some 

 countries. When it possesses a finer grain, it forms marble of no great value. As it becomes 

 harder and more refined, it is better adapted for sculpture, and is then properly called marble. 

 White statuary marble from Carrara, in Italy, is esreemed most valuable, and the purest of any. 

 It must be observed, that some kinds of marble are primary and others secondary. There is 

 a fine species of clouded marble found near Middlebury, Vermont. White marble is found 

 in Stockbridge and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Washington, Connecticut, and in many other 

 States. A beautiful species, variegated with green, yellow, and black, is found at Mdford, near 

 New Haven, Connecticut. In Pennsylvania, several kinds of marble are found, some of vv hich 

 appear to be of primary formation. On the banks of the Potomac, a fine kind of secondary 

 marble, called Breccia, is obtained. The superb pillars which support the dome of the Hep 

 resentatives' chamber in the capitol at Washington, are of this species. Variegated marble is 

 found at Thomaston, in Maine. 



Of the second class, or earthy minerals, quartz may be mentioned as one of die most con- 

 spicuous. It is everywhere a common stone, and is frequently denominated white flint. Gravel 

 and sand are composed of this mineral. Sometimes it is found in regular crystals, and is then 

 called rock crystal. When transparent it is esteemed verj' beautiful ; and is used for various 

 ornaments. These crystals, when colored, take the name of the precious stones they resem- 

 ble, and great deception is sometimes practised in making thein pass for real gems. 



Of this class of minerals, are also the precious stones, which are almost entirely coaiposed 

 of argil, or pure clay. Among the most valuable of these are the ruby, sapphire, emerald, and 

 topaz. The finest rubies and sapphires are found in India and the island of Ceylon. The 

 most beautiful emeralds are obtained in Peru. The most valuable topazes come from Brazil. 



Feldspar, also belonging to the second class of minerals, forms the base of a multiuide of 

 rocks. The whitish particles observed in granite are feldspar, which constitutes two thirds of 

 Its substance. Extensive mountains are in some instances solely composed of it. It some- 

 times occurs in large masses, beautifully colored, and is used for various ornaments. It is found 

 more frequently in the mountains of Asia than in those of Europe. America affords it in large 

 quantities. 



Mica consists of thin scales of a metallic brilliancy. It forms a part of the substance of 

 granite, and may be recognised by its sparkling surface. It is also mixed in other rocks, and 

 constitutes a portion of almost every soil. It sometimes occurs in Jarge plates, and is often 

 CElled isinglass. It is found in Russia, Siberia, and Soongaria, in large masses, the leaves being 

 sometimes several feet square. In Russia it is used in windows instead of glass. 



Asbestos, a celebrated mineral, is chiefly found in the fissures and cavities of primitive rocks, 

 of which it seems to be a decomposition. A detached tuft of this mineral can hardly bo imagin- 

 ed, at first sight, not to be a bunch of fine white silk. The ancients made towels, napkins, and 

 head-dresses of it. When these became soiled by use, they were thrown into the fire, and 

 upon being taken out were found to be whiter than if they had been washed. This mineral 

 abounds in Corsica, in the Uralian mountains, and in Greenland. The longest that has been 

 found came from the Pyrenees. 



Of the third class of minerals, or inflammable substances, we may first notice sulphur, which 

 is discovered in various situations. It occurs at the mouths of volcanoes, in the form of pow- 

 der, and sometimes in crystals. It is also found in veins or beds, among sulphate of lime and 

 potter's clay. In this latter situation it is chiefly obtained. Bhumen, in a liquid state, called 

 mineral tar or naphtha, filters through the earth and rocks, and sometimes floats on the water 

 like oil. There are springs of it in Persia. In Parma, in Italy, it is drawn up from wells sunk 

 in the earth for the purpose. It is called asphaltum, and gives name to Lake Asphaltites, or 

 tlie Dead Sea, in Syria. In Persia, Japan, and other countries, it is used for lamps. In 

 Auvergne, in France, glutinous bitumen covers the earth, and sticks to the feet so as to impede 

 the traveler. 



Pit coal is of two kinds, bituminous and anthracite. The former burns most freely, and is 

 most common. Of this kind are the coal mines in England. This coal consists of bitumen 

 united to an earthy base, and is supposed to be formed of vegetable and animal remains, long 

 since deposited in the earth, where, by a process of nature, they have assumed their present 

 form. Anthracite coal consists of carbon accidentally mixed with flint and iron. Of this 

 species are the Lehigh and Schuylkill mines in Pennsylvania. 



Carbon exists in nature to a great extent. It enters into the composition of a multitude of 



