28 
ty, it appears to be a deposition from the sulphureous wa¬ 
ter, and is obtained in large quantities on the ground. In 
some specimens, from that place, Mr. Godon detected the 
sulphuric acid, in a free or uncombined state.* * * § 
Sulphur is applied to various important uses in the arts. 
It is an ingredient in the making of gun powder, its vapor is 
used in whitening wool and silk, and from it the sulphuric 
acid or oil of vitriol is often made. In a single establish¬ 
ment at Philadelphia, about 200,000 lbs. of it and other 
acids, are annually manufactured.! 
Amber has been found in New-Jersey,! and Petroleum , 
under the name of Genesee or Seneka Oil , is obtained in 
the western district of this state. This substance in its pur¬ 
est forms (when it is called Naptha) is used in Persia, and 
Japan, where it abounds, for lighting streets, and several 
other domestic purposes.§ 
Mines of plumbago, or black lead (graphite , carburet of 
iron) are said to occur at Brimfield (Mass.) and in Virgin¬ 
ia. It is also found in various parts of this state ; although 
it is generally understood to be too hard and coarse for the 
purposes to which it is commonly applied, which is the 
making of pencils. The purest plumbago, and the article 
used in commerce,is obtained from Borrodale (Cumberland) 
in England. In conjunction with clay, it is used in manu¬ 
facturing crucibles for the smelting of metals. 
Under the denomination of Saline Substances is included 
those combinations of acids w ith alkalies and metals, which 
are found native. The salts of aiumine, although an earth, 
are generally included. 
Muriate of Soda, or common salt, deserves the first notice. 
This invaluable mineral is discovered in the state of rock 
salt, or is obtained from salt springs or sea waterjj Of the 
* Vide Medical Repository, vol. 12, p. 200. 
f Gallatin’s Report on American Manufactures. 
if Bruce’s Mineralogical Journal, No. 1, p. 31. 
§ Jameson’s Mineralogy, vol. 2, p. 47. 
|| In some instances salt is annually reproduced; as in the 
valley of salt from which the city of Aleppo is supplied. Vide 
Russel’s Natural History of Aleppo, 2d edit, quarto, vol. 1, p, 
55—-6. 
