The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-05-13

Rocky mountains, "A lps, Pyrenees, Curpathan,
Ural, and all the highest mountains in the |
world. 1t is also found in ledges aud loose
rocks, or boulders, widely scattered over diff |
ferent countries. It's easily split into leaves
Of almost any imaginable thnness, exceed
ingly elastic, and semi.transparent, and is |
thus fitted for the doors Of stoves and other |
purposes, as substitute for glass. In some
parts OF Russia it is much used for the
windows Of houses, where it is known by the
name Of Muscovy glass. 1t is frequently
called isingless
Nos. 6. and 7. GRANITE is composed of
quartz, felspar, and mica; the latter thrown
about in every possible direction; rendering
rock unstratifed not saty, 1t differs widely
in the degree of fneness Of the three in
gradients composing it, the mica sometimes
being in plates two feet or more in diameter;
at other times in fine spangle like scales,
scattered through the rock. The quartz or
frlspar also, vary greatly in the size of the
masses composing the granite.
Fine granite is best fitted for purposes of
architecture, for which it is extensively used
in many countries. In the United States are
many quarrics, furnishing building materials
for all our seaports and many inland towns g.
villages.
No. 8. GNErss is slaty granite, rendered so
by the uniform direction of the mica. 1t
hence splits in slabs of large and smooth sur
face, fitting it for sidewalks floors, bridges,
and many other purposes of economy and
convenience. 1t is the prevailing rock on
New York island, and it is in many parts of
New England and many other parts of the
world. The color of gness depends, of course,
upon that of the materials composing it.,
especially the mica, which is sometimes black
or dark color to the gneiss. 1t is more COM
monty of lightish grey, and sometimes
silvery.
No. Q. Mica SLATE resembles gneiss, but
is composed of quartz and mica. Felspar,
composing part of granite and gneiss, is
wanting in this rock. 1t frequently has an
undulating surface, but is smooth 1t splits
readily, and is used for purposes similar to
those Of gneiss. Garnrts are more abundant
in this than any other rock; and this rock
) contains more of thoss than any other
crystals.
No. 10. HoRNBLEND is black green, or
other dark colors. 1t is more tough than
bard, and is an element of rocks much used
in architecture, also forming some OF the most
beautiful scenery in the world.
No. ii. SIENlrE is commonly called granite
but 'flers from it in taking hornbend in
place Of mica. The Bunker Hill Monument
(Massnchusetts) Merchants Exchange, Aston
House, Rutgers Institute, and numerous 9th.
er buildings in New York and other cities
are built of sienite, commonly called Quincy
granite. Ceopatra's Needle, Egypt is sienite
No. IL. BAsALT. The Chants Causcway
: is composed of basaltc pillars, many of which
are six sided prlsms, from six inches to n foo,
or two in diameter, in blocks about the same
length, with one end rounded and the other
followed, so as exactly to match, and are
piled upon each other to the height of 200
feet or more. Rocks nearly resembling these
and piled upon each other in similar manner
from the palisades on the Hudson, the two
bluffs at New Haven, Mount Holyhoke, and
many other mountain masses in this and
other countries. The same kind of rock is
scattered over many countries, in the form oi
boulders, and is frequently known by the
name of iron stone. 1t is composed principal
ly OF hornblend 0r augite, which it resembles
aud felspar with large portion of iron.
Basalt, green-stone, and other rocks of the
same family are much used for building.
Nos 10 and IA. Lime formations are ex-
tenslve, various, useful, and sometimes beauti-
tul They embrace common limestone, nearly
all marbles, chalk, and many beautiful crystals.
Ihe older formations are in coarse grains,
which give it the name of granular lime. The
more recent is frequently timer or more COM
pact, when it is called compact lime. 1t is
frequently found in rhombic crystals, when it
is called rhomb spar. When these crystals
are transparent they are called Iceland spar,
ana produce double relraction, giving one line
or letter seen through it the appearance of
two.
All these formations are the carbonate of
lime, composed of limo and carbonic acid
When burnt, the acid is thrown from the lime.
when 1t is reduced to quick lime, and fitted for
various uses in building; also for manurinp
land for which it IS extensively used. White
limestone and milk quartz are sometimes con.
founded, but they may be easily distinguished
by the knife, as the former can be cut, and
the latter, not, and more certainly by an acid,
No. ID. GYPSUM is the sulphate of lime,
and of course composed of sulphurc acid (oil
OF vitrioD aud lime. In Italy and other coun-
tries it appears in the form of alabaster,
which receives fine polish, aud is trans.
lucent. When crystalzed in transparent
ylatcs, it is called selenite, (moonstone) 1t
sometimes appears in fine silky libres, when
it is called fbrous gypsum. Radiated gyp-
sum is another beautiful variety of this
mineral.
Gypsum is powerful manure, and is much |
used Tor ornamental work, in plastering rooms;
also for busts and casts of various kinds.
No. l6. SERrENTISE rocks from extensive
barren ridges, but contain chrome ore,
magnesia, asbctus, and other curious deposites.
1t takes its name from its variety of colors like
the serP1nt, though its prevailing color is
green. The prevailing rock at Hoboken and
Staten island is serpentine; which extends,
with lrcquen interruptions, through N. Jersey,
Pennsylvania, and Maryland, into Virginia,
1t abounds in various parts of the world.
No. IL TAIc lka sarno,,;o. .. ,