Si-' MEERSCHAUM. 
of the Orinoco, are almost wholly supported, during 
three months of the year, by eating species of steatite, 
or potter's clay, which they first slightly bake, and then 
moisten with water. M. Golberry says that the ne- 
groes near the mouth of the Senegal mix their rice with 
a white kind of steatite, and eat it without inconve- 
nience. 
In some parts of Spain a variety of steatite is found, 
which is used by artists under the name of Spanish chalk. 
When slightly burned, this mineral is sometimes used as 
the basis of rouge. 
125. FIGURE STONED a Idnd of steatite, ivhich has, 
internally, a glimmering and resinous lustre, and a slaty 
or splintery fracture. 
From its softness, and }^et solidity of texture, this 
mineral can easily be fashioned into various shapes, even 
with a knife. Hence in China, where it frequently 
occurs, it is cut into grotesque figures of various kinds, 
which the French call magots dc la Chine, into cups, 
vases, pagodas, snuff-boxes, and other articles. 
126. MEERSCHAUM, or SEA-FROTH, isasinguhir 
kind of mineral, of yellowish or greyish white colour, some- 
times so light as to float in water: zv hen fresh dug it has 
nearly the consistence of wax. 
If exposed to a strong heat, it becomes so hard as to yield 
sparks with steel. 
The principal use to which meerschaum is applied is 
in the formation of the bowls or heads of tobacco-pipes 
used by the Turks, and the quantity consumed for this 
purpose is very great. It is found in a fissure of grey, 
calcareous earth, about six feet wide, near Konie, in 
Natolia, where upwards of six hundred men are em- 
ployed in the digging and preparation of it ; and the 
sale of it supports a monastery of dervises established 
at that place. The vyorkmen assert that it grows again 
in the fissure, and puffs itself up like froth. It is pre- 
pared for use by being first agitated with water in great 
