The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-05-13
GEOLOGICAL CABINET.
An Introduction and Aid TO Reading
By JOSIAH HoLBRooK


The Bible is book of examples, founded
On principles for the regulation of human
conduct; especially so for the management
Df the mind and soul, or intellect and heart.
The example furnished, by it, as a starting
Doint in the pursuit of knowledge, is not only
appropl late, as founded on divine wisdom, but
is equally simple, beautiful; and sublime. "In
the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth," is the sentence commonly refer-
red to as a specimen Of the very highest
sublimity. Its sublimity is in its simplicity,
connected with the glorious truth uttered. A
sentence more full of instruction never has
been, probably never will be uttered. 1t is
also pre-eminently fitted TO an nquisitve
young mind, eagerly observing surrounding
objects at the same time rapidly and success
fully, because practically, learning them.
Ii the elements Of the created universe
form the "frSt lesson" OF the Creator to his
Creatures, why not follow the example thus
set US by Him who created mind, as starting
point in the training of mind? In accordance
wi h this example of Divine authority, the
elements Of our globe are selected as "frst
lesson" for the children. A GEOLOGICAL
CABINET" is prepared, consisting of twenty
five mineral specimens, so selected, arranged,
labelled, and described as to show, almost at
Il glance, the elements and structure of
mountains, rocks, and soils; exactly fitted to
crafty the eager curiosity of euery child to
! learn what he sees: not only by seeing, but
by handling, examining, comparing, classiy-
ing, and other steps for acquiring the most
substantial knowledge by the most thorough
modes OF learning.
"Notwe bejore Looks, and drduiag before
mrhng," is motto always in accordance
with common sonse, and now completely
tested by experience, both in this country q,
Europe. 1t is already widely adopted on both
continents, and is certain soon to be observed
by all persons, everywhere, in the carly in
slruction Of children. The "ALPnABET OF
GEOLOGY" by preceding the "ALPHABET OF
BOOKS" changes the latter from an unmenn-
ing, irksome task to an instructive, delight
iul lesson; learn rapidly and certainly, be-
cause practically and agreeably.
The principal families of rocks, or geological
formation, are the granite family, composed
OF three members, and forming all the highest
mountains in the world; the hornbend, or
trap lumily, consisting also of three or four
members, widely scattered over the earth
Lime formations, very abundant, various, and
Useful; magnetism or serpentne formations.
containing highly valuable ores; conglomerate
rocks, or those formed from the fragments of
broken down rocks; carbon,or coal formations;
fossils, or organic remains or rocks contain
ing the remains Of more than nine thousand
animals, with those of numerous plants; coral
ranges. very extensive, and increasing, by the
labors of insects of the sea; and volcanic
rocks, composing very numerous islands, and
some mountains from ten torflteen thousand
feet high All these vast ranges of rocky
and mountain masses, constituting the ell
emcnts, the grandeur, and riches o! our earth,
beautifully and emphatically declare the
sublime truth, that lie who formed them has,
indeed and in truth, "weighed the mountains in
scales, and the hills in a Jaiance."
Nos. l and Q. QUARTZ is the only mineral
found everywhere. 1t forms u considerable
part Of all the highest mountains in the
worldi is the principal element of soils;
composes nearly all the pebbles upon shores,
material essential in the manufacture of glass;
and, in some OF its varieties, formed most or
all the gems mentioned as set in the breast
Df Aaron, tho high priest; also those men, |
Toned as composing the streets of the New |
Icru.alem. Quartz also forms most of the
precious stones used in all ages Of the world,
Is personal ornaments, worn on fingers,
'rcasts, &c; ana hence furnishing, to II con-
ldcrab extent, articles of commerce among
nations.
1t scratches most other minerals, and is
renee one of the hardest. Its colors are
white, red, brown, smoky, blue, green, yellow,
md clouded, with various shades of different
olors. The most common quartz crystal is
hexngonal or six sided prism, ending in n
yramid, with the same number of sides.
The names, determined by the coors, &c,
re milk quartz, smoky, grey, yellow. rose,
mpid, ja'pcry, blue, red aud clouded quartz;
'ith numerous other varieties. The gems
re amethyst, OF purple quartz Jasper, or l
ed quartz; cornelun, yellowish red; agate,
loudcd, &c. I
No. 3. BuRsroNE is ponrous quartz, prn- (
ipally brought from France and used for the )
tones OF -four mills. and is preferable for Y
hat use to any other material yet discovered. |
Is great hardness, and numerous pores, give
the character OF an aggregation of knives,
dmirably fitted for reducing wheat and other 1
rains To flour. 4
No. 4. FELsrAR resembles quartz, and is a
xtensively combined with it, in rocks, noun. t
iins, soils, &c. When puverized, or decom.
osed, il forms clay, as pulverized quartz does n
md. The two combined are the principal c
nd essential ingredients of all soils, and of s
purse should be fully and familiarly under. L
ood by all iarmers.-Felspar is used for o
aking China ware, or porcelain, as quartz b
for glass. il is scratched by quartz, and
eaks more in the form of lamina, or a o
nooth table surface, giving II the appearance IL
a collection of small steps. Its color is q
hite, reddish white, flesh color. sometimes t.
own, and occasionally other colors. II ia 81
: less various, and less beautiful In ito
rieties. than quartz. When 1t has CLASSY p,
pearance, and 10 translucent, II is called al
Ilaria. Labrador felspar, found extensive. Of
in Essex county, IN. W is opolescent; or n,
. N nIav nf enlnra IN Ia axnnsal a..