The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-09-08
TFoR THE CHARLOTTE DEMOCRAT.
Mica, or Isinglass.

Mr.. EDITOR I'm a late number of your paper
short article is published announcing the dis
covery, in Catawba county, of vein of mica, or
isingiass,. Taking an interest in all such dis
coveries, and having investigated, to consider
able extent, the minerals of our State, and more
particularly those of Western North Carolina,
permit me to submit few observations, in con-
nection with this subject, which may be Of SER
vice to some of your readers Mica, or isinglass,
is one of the constituents of granite, and its as
sociate rocks, gneiss, syenite and mica slate. 1t
| also occurs in more recent aggregates and fire.
quently in imbedded crystals in limestone, and
certain volcanic rocks. 1t varies in color from
pearly white to pale green, violet yellow, and
dark brown, or nearly black, being composed of
nnaine, or plates which are flexible elastic and
| very tough. Fine crystalizations of mica occur
in several of the Northern and Middle States ;
those found at two or three localities in New
Hampshire are particularly large, measuring
from one to three feet across, and perfectly trans
parent. Coarse lamella aggregations often form
the n,atrtr parent rock of topaz, tOurnaaline
and other minerals. A belt of this mcaceous
aggregate traverses Catawba, Lincoln and CASTOR
counties, and the adjoining portion of South
Carolina. The town of Lincolnton is built upon
! an elevated ridge mainly composed of this rock,
in disintegrated state, the particles of which
are coarse ana sharp. 1t is IN q continuation OF
this belt in Catawba county that the fine speci-
mems of mica in large, transparent plates, have
been lately found The railroad cut near Lin
colnton passes through this rock, adjacent to
strata containing numerous well-defned crystals
of white feldspar (oUie). Proceeding East
wardly from the town, indications of the same
coarse material are encountered for upwards of
three miles, at which point it unites with strata
Of soft talcose slate, generally containing plun-
Joyo, or black lead. 1t is probable this latter
mineral may yet be found, of sufficient purity, to
be proftably worked Indeed, this whole section
Of country, embracing not only the mcaceous,
quartzose belt, above alluded to, but much of the
adjoining territory east and west, may be conf
IDENTIFY regarded depository of many valuable
minerals yet undiscovered. Many developments,
upon careful examination, will no doubt be here
after made of our hidden resources. Not only
gold already discovered in numerous localities,
but also the diamond, corundatm or sapphire,
topaz, be'yl, sarer, copper, lead, manganese, and
other valuable minerals may all be found within
our limits, to administer to the wants, and assist
in building up the shattered fortunes of our peo-
pie. Mica, or isinglass, in large, transparent
lamina or plates, is now valuable for it's power
of resisting intense heat in stone furnaces, not
breaking like glass; and will, in all probability,
be yet converted to other useful purposes.
Many minerals now trampled under foot and
regarded as worthless, will eventually be brought
into requisition, and claim their due share of
economic importance. g. l.. III.