Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-12-05
RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER so, 1867.
Marble-No. =.
CHARACTER AND FORMATION,

ANY limestone that is sound and sus-
oeptible OF polish, and that can be quar-
ried Ia slabs or blocks OF sufficient size
for use, is marble In the broader accepta-
ton OF the term. But some nicer dis
tinetion is necessary to define the term,
marble, as now spilled to an article
well known In commerce. Among the
we'll known varieties of ancient marble
the Parian was the most perfect, and
that which nearest resembles that
marble is now considered the most val
liable. Parian marble is composed OF
fat particles Of pure carbonate of lime,
The most minute atom OF which Is
CT ystal OF perfect form, apparently nat-
tened while heated, under enormous
pressure, and compscted in the mass,
like the overlapping scales of fish. 1t
is white and semi-transparent. ard is
capable OF resisting the action of cor
rosive agents or atmospheric exposure,
and also, before crushing, resists the
heaviest pressure of any known marble.
Marbles of imperfect formation are COM
posed of rhamboidal or angular frag-
ments, and when so composed are more
liable to corroeion, and less able to with
stand great presusre, more opaque, and
sooner disintegrates and crumbles into
dust. The character of all marbles are
TO be determined by texture, or shape of
its particles, by its color and the differ
ent elements commingled in its compo-
sition. Thus, in many varieties, NINE
raj ear tbs have done their work of dete-
riorat ion, and strange vegetation In de-
compos ition added color 10 this early
and otherwise pure calcareous rock.
The speculative theories Of different
teachers and writers on geology are many
ofthem exploded by the practical knowl-
edge gained in explorations and work
ings among the rocks. But the princi-
Piles on which. the science Of geology is
based are as profound.and true as the
depths 1t investigates, or the creations
history it explores, The deposition of
the early rock strata is variously &C
counted for, and the source from whence
came the vast amount of the material
necessary for its formation, is often
earnestly questioned by many.
But that all of the early rock strata
was formed from the deposit OF rock
sediment at the bottom OF comparative
still water, there can be no doubt. And
the material from which the vast lime
stone rocks were formed, was supplied
in abundance by the deep and wide ex-
tending beds of ocean shells, and the
almost limitless insect production, the
ancient coraline reefs. The early ocean
bed contained It's quiet silurian seas +;
into these wide hooks the ceaseless ocean
currents carried the decay of shell and
coral, where, upon the oozy bottom 1t
settled, deep layer Of plastic mud. BY
the subsidence of the ocean level the de.
post was left to dry and harden into
rock, again to be submerged, and the
former process renewed, the result
another layer. This continued process
filed the depths Of the sea- when, by the
permanent subsistence of the general
ocean level, an island or continent ap
peared, no more to be submerged. Lons
subsequent to the formative and harden
ing process, the earth enters upon 8
period when nature, as the grand uni
versal chemist, evolved that mighty
agent of her power, in her dark subter
yanean laboratory, which by upward ant
outward pressure, and with resistles
force, rent the earth's firm crust, up
heaved the majestic mountain range
and scooped out the deep, dark valley
In this general upheaval the superin
cumbent rock strata was .ilted up, over
laped and folded together, producing
upon the earth's surface the appearance
of disorder and confusion. During thi
period of seeming confusion, heat an
subtle gases pervaded the central POI
tions of the groaning earth, melting an
forcing out through the earth's rupture
crust, mighty streams of hot volcani
matter, filling the rents and huge crack
in the broken rocks, and elevating ne,
and loftier mountains. The heat fror
these melted masses pervaded all sui
rounding portions Of rock or minera
Metals melted, and some of the oil
rocks were, by the intense heat to whic
they were subjected, resolved back
their natural element and mingled in tb
earth. Other portions suddenly coole
by immersion, were cracked and splir
tered into fragments. That part OF th
original limestone which we now demon
mate marble, buried deep in the eartl
felt not the full force OF the fiery agen
but was crystalized by the action (
long continued heat operating equal
upon the elemental composition. I'll
perfect marble, crystalized under Il
weight Of the immense everything mas
the pressure of enormous forces fiattene