How and Where to Find Them.

A KEY

FOR THE READY DETERMINATION OF ALL THE USEFUL
MINERALS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.

BY JAMES ORTON, A.M.,

Late Professor of Natural History in Vassar College, N. Y.; Cor.
Mem. of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia,
and of the Lyceum of Natural History, New York;
Author of “The Andes and the Amazon,” etc.

A NEW EDITION WITH ADDITIONS.
———
ILLUSTRATED.
———
PHILADELPHIA:
HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.,

INDUSTRIAL PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS AND IMPORTERS,

810 Walnut Street.

1881.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by
WORTHINGTON, DUSTIN & CO.,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
—————
Copyright:
HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.
1881.

Table of Contents.

 
Inscribed

TO

ROSSITER W. RAYMOND, PH. D.,

UNITED STATES

Commissioner of Mining Statistics;

EDITOR OF THE

ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL;

AUTHOR OF

“The Mines of the West,” etc.

NOTE.

This little work was not written for mineralogists, but expressly for the landholder, the farmer, the mechanic, the miner, the laborer, even the most unscientific. It is designed to enable such to discover for themselves, minerals and ores of use in the arts, and thus develop the resources and ascertain the value of any particular farm or region. It may save the owner from ruinous bargains, and may reveal a mine of mineral wealth, more sure and more profitable than any bank.

A   K E Y
FOR THE READY DETERMINATION OF ALL
THE USEFUL MINERALS WITHIN THE
UNITED STATES.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

No other country can boast of such vast and valuable mineral deposits. Yet our country is not half developed. Treasures lie undiscovered in our mountains and under our farms,—gems of “purest ray serene” and still more precious metals. Some will be accidentally brought to light; but the majority are so disguised that their real nature is not seen. How unpromising are the best ores of iron, zinc and silver and the rarest gems! Then, again, there is “mimicry” in the mineral kingdom; worthless stones are often good imitations of the valuable, and fortunes have been sunk in mining pyrites for gold, mica for silver and slate for coal. But if we wait for mineralogists to develop our mineral resources, we must wait a millenium, our country is so vast and scientific laborers so few. Fortunately, however, nature has stamped upon each mineral some peculiar feature or assemblage of characters which enable any one with average common sense to distinguish those which are of value in the arts.

The object of this work is to point out those distinctions so clearly and in popular language that those who do not claim to be scientific may determine specimens for themselves; in other words, to furnish a key for the ready determination of all the useful minerals within the United States.[1]

Two hundred and forty-four mineral species have been found within the bounds of the Union. Of these only one-third are of any use to the practical man. These eighty have certain general characters in common, but always some specific differences. The object is to divide them into groups, as the botanist divides the plants, and then to separate the individuals by some properties or features peculiar to each. Only those minerals are mentioned which are useful: any specimen, therefore, which does not fit any of the descriptions given, may be considered of no special value. By the term “color,” is meant the color of a fresh fracture, for the exposed surface often misrepresents the true aspect. Exact color is not meant, but “red” stands for reddish, “yellow” for yellowish, “white” for a light gray up to the perfectly transparent. “Magnetic” means that the specimen disturbs the needle of a compass, or that a magnet will take up fine particles. A mineral is “opaque” if the light will not pass through either the edges or a thin fragment. A “translucent” mineral is either clear as crystal or only allows light to pass dimly through a thin portion. “Effervescence” is the bubbling produced by the escape of a gas, as in soda-water. “Gravity” is the weight compared with that of an equal bulk of water. In the majority of cases the specimen can be determined without it; but there may be several doubtful cases which can be settled only by obtaining the gravity. This is done by first weighing a fragment of the mineral in a small apothecary or jeweler’s balance, reckoning it in grains. Then by a thread suspend it below one of the scales in a tumbler of water, taking care that the specimen is covered with water and does not touch the sides. Subtract the weight in grains as it hangs in the water from the first weight, and divide the first weight by the difference: the result is the gravity. Five per cent. should be allowed for impurities. Where exactness is not required, the gravity of a specimen may be judged by comparing it with well-known substances. Thus,

If the gravity of a mineral is 1.5, a cubic inch of it will weigh about ¾ ounce; if 2., 1 oz.; if 2.5, 1¼ oz.; if 3., 1½ oz.; if 4., 2 oz.; if 5, 2½ oz., etc.

There is no section of our country that may not reward a diligent search for precious or useful minerals. The rocks, however, between the Alleghanies and the Atlantic and between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific furnish the greater variety and abundance. Here are found the best ores. Gold and silver seem to abound more on the western than eastern sides of both mountain-chains. A trap-region, like the shore of Lake Superior and the Connecticut River Valley, is likely to be a good locality for copper and iron. The Mississippi Valley, or the region of Bituminous Coal, furnishes chiefly iron and lead; gold, silver and copper are seldom found. In general, where the layers of rock lie level and contain fossil shells, it is a locality good only for soft coal, (New York excepted), iron ore, gypsum and salt. The regions of granite, slate, limestone, marble, etc., offer the greatest inducement to search for useful minerals.

CHAPTER II.

DIRECTIONS FOR DETERMINING SPECIMENS BY THE KEY.

FIRST see whether it will scratch common window-glass. If it will make the least mark, it belongs to division A; if not, it is to be found in group B. Next notice whether the light will shine through it: if it does not pass through even the edges or a thin splinter, it is opaque; if any light is allowed to pass, it is translucent. With a knife see if it is harder or softer than pure white marble; then, noting its color, compare it with the descriptions of minerals referred to by the numbers. If it agree with none, it may be considered of no use in the arts. To make doubly sure, get the gravity as described on page 12.

Examples: Suppose we have an unknown mineral in hand. We first try to scratch glass with it and find it impossible. It therefore belongs to section B. Next we find it is opaque and yellow, and evidently heavier and harder than marble. It must be one of two: 44 attracts the compass-needle, and this will not; it is consequently 26 or Copper Pyrites, if it agree with the description. If not, it is something of no great value.

You have found what you think is a diamond, Does the specimen scratch glass? Yes, easily, and is brittle. Can you see through it? You say it is clear as glass. Look now under section A, “translucent” series, number 6 (for it is colorless), and decide which of the four it is. The first one (27), is diamond; but do not let your wishes make it agree. Turning to the description, you read that it can not be scratched with a file or worn down on a grindstone. This decides against it. Besides, the gravity (2.5) is too little. With the next (57) it agrees perfectly, and you need not go further. Should the specimen, however, agree very well with rock crystal, only that its gravity (3.5) is too great, then it is topaz.

☞ All minerals that scratch glass are brittle, and all (save 32 and 46) are infusible or melt with great difficulty.

☞ The following minerals will burn, evaporate or melt without a flux in an ordinary fire: Nos. 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 29, 33, 35, 37, 44, 53, 55, 62, 63, 70, 71, 75. All but the following are heavier than marble: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 16, 34, 36, 40, 47, 48, 56, 60, 61, 69, 71. Nos. 2, 50 and 58 alone dissolve in water.

☞ In determining color, be sure you have a fresh surface, for the outside is often deceptive. By “blow-pipe” is meant the tapering tube used by watch-makers.

A.

WILL SCRATCH GLASS.

I. OPAQUE.

II. TRANSLUCENT.

B.

WILL NOT SCRATCH GLASS.

I. OPAQUE.

II. TRANSLUCENT.

CHAPTER III.

DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF USEFUL MINERALS.

Value.—Used for jewelry and ornamental work, mortars, vases, knife-handles, burnishers, etc. The colors are deepened by boiling in oil and then in sulphuric acid.

Localities.—Found in granite and trap regions, generally by the shores of rivers, lakes and the sea; as, north-west shore of Lake Superior; Missouri, Columbia, Colorado and Connecticut Rivers; Crescent City, Cal.; Hancock County, Ga.; near Tampa Bay, Fla.; Fulton, Penn.; Yellowstone Lake, Wy.[3]

2.-Alum.

Occurs in mealy or solid crusts, often fibrous; dissolves in water; tastes sweetish-astringent; melts and froths up when heated.

Value.—Extensively used in dyeing and calico-printing, candle-making, dressing skins, clarifying liquors and in pharmacy.

Localities.—Found incrusting and impregnating dark slaty rocks, with yellow streaks. Cape Sable, Md.; Cleveland County, N. C.; coal slates on Ohio River, and in caves in Sevier, De Kalb, Coffee and Franklin Counties, Tenn.; also Esmeralda and Storey Counties, Nev.

3.—Amethyst.

Same as Rock Crystal, but colored purple or bluish violet. Generally in clustered crystals.

Value.—When clear and finely colored, it is a favorite gem.

Localities.—Usually found with agate. Keweenaw Point, Pic Bay and Gargontwa on Lake Superior; Bristol, R. I.; Surry, N. H.; East Bradford, Aston, Chester, Thornbury, Edgemont, Sadsbury, Birmingham, Middletown and Providence, Penn.; Greensboro, N. C.

4.—Anthracite.

Occurs massive; compact; high lustre; brittle; breaks with a curved surface; will not scratch marble; burns, but not readily, with a pale blue flame and little smoke; will not form coke by roasting; gravity 1.4 to 1.8.

Value.—Used for fuel and sometimes cut into inkstands, etc.

Localities.—Found in beds between slates and sandstones, and east of the Alleghany range only, as Eastern Pennsylvania; Portsmouth, R. I.; Mansfield, Mass.; North Carolina. No workable beds will be found in New York.

The rocks in anthracite regions are tilted, bent and broken, never level to any great extent. Impressions of leaves are good indications.

5.—Antimony Ore.

Occurs fibrous or granular; color lead gray, often tarnished; shining lustre, brittle; but thin pieces can be cut off with a knife; melts in a candle, at a high heat passing off in vapor; gravity 4.5.

Value.—The source of the antimony of commerce, containing seventy per cent.

Localities.—Found associated with Silver, Spathic Iron, Blende, Baryta and Quartz. Carmel, Me.; Lyme, N. H.; Soldier’s Delight, Md.; Aurora, Nev.; San Amedio Cañon and Tulare County, Cal.

6.—Asbestus.

Occurs finely fibrous, flax-like; flexible, not elastic; silky lustre, sometimes greenish; gravity 3.

Value.—Used for lining safes and steam-packing, and for making incombustible cloth, lamp-wicks, etc.

Localities.—Found in granite-regions east of the Alleghanies; often with Serpentine. Brighton, Dedham, Newbury, Pelham and Sheffield, Mass.; Milford, West Farms, Winchester and Wilton, Conn.; Chester, Mt. Holly and Cavendish, Vt.; Patterson, Phillipstown, Monroe and Staten Island, N. Y.; Brunswick, N. J.; East Nottingham, Goshen and Aston, Penn.; Bare Hills and Cooptown, Md.; Barnet’s Mills, Va.

7.—Asphaltum.

Occurs massive; brittle; breaking with high lustre like hardened tar, and with curved surface; melts and burns readily with flame and smoke; gravity 1.2, sometimes floats on water.

Value.—Used for cements and varnishes.

Localities.—Found generally near the surface. Near the coast of Santa Barbara, Cal.; West Virginia, twenty miles south of Parkersburg.

8.—Azurite.

Occurs in crystals and masses with glassy lustre, or earthy and dull; brittle; crackles and blackens, and finally fuses by heat; dissolves with effervescence in nitric acid; gravity 3.5.

Value.—A valuable ore of copper, containing sixty per cent.

Localities.—Found chiefly in lead and copper mines. Perkiomen lead mine, Cornwall, Phoenixville and Nicholson’s Gap, Pa; near New Brunswick, N. J.; near Mineral Point, Wis.; Polk County, Tenn.; Calaveras and Mariposa Counties, Cal.; near Virginia City, Mont.

9.—Baryta, or Heavy Spar.

Occurs in crystals, plates and masses; powder white; brittle; crackles when strongly heated; not dissolved in acids; easily distinguished by its weight; gravity 4.5, or twice as heavy as Gypsum.

Value.—Used extensively as white paint and in pottery.

Localities.—Found in mining districts, often with lead, copper and iron ores, and in limestone. Piermont, N. H.; Hatfield, Southampton and Leverett, Mass.; Cheshire and Berlin, Conn.; Pillar Point, Rossie, Carlisle, Scoharie, De Kalb, Gouverneur, N. Y.; Fauquier and Buckingham Counties, Va.; Union, Gaston and Orange Counties, N. C.; near Paris, and in Anderson, Fayette, Mercer and Owen Counties, Ky.; on Brown’s Creek and Haysboro, Tenn.; Bainbridge, O.; Scales Mound, Ill.; Prince Vein, Lake Superior; Mine-a-Barton, Mo.; near Fort Wallace, N. M.; Ingo County, Cal.

10.—Bituminous Coal.

Occurs in masses, beds or seams; softer and duller than Anthracite; often a bright pitchy lustre; brittle, showing a slaty or jointed structure rather than curved surface; powder black; burns readily with yellow flame; by roasting forms coke; gravity 1.5 or less.

Value.—Used for fuel and the production of gas, coke, carbolic acid and aniline.

Localities.—Found west of Harrisburg, Pa., in rocks (slates and sandstones) less disturbed than in the Anthracite region. Western Pennsylvania; South-east Ohio; West Virginia; Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee to Tuscaloosa; North-west Kentucky; Illinois; Iowa; Missouri; Kansas; Arkansas; Northern Texas; Central Michigan; Owyhee County, Idaho; Deer Lodge and Gallatin Counties and sixty miles north-east of Bannock, Mont.

11.—Blende.

Occurs in crystals and masses; waxy lustre, but not always very apparent; usual color, rosin-yellow to dark brown; brittle; the powder, which is whitish to reddish-brown, dissolves in muriatic acid giving off the odor of rotten eggs; by roasting gives off sulphur-fumes; infusible alone, but on charcoal at a high heat gives off white fumes; gravity 4.

Value.—An ore of zinc (containing sixty-six per cent.) and a source of white vitriol. Often worked for its Silver and Gold.

Localities.—Found with lead and other ores. Lubec and Bingham, Me.; Eaton, Warren and Shelburne, N. H.; Sterling, Southampton and Hatfield, Mass.; Brookfield, Berlin, Roxbury and Monroe, Conn.; near Wurtzboro’, Cooper’s Falls, Mineral Point, Fowler, Ancram, Clinton and Spraker’s Basin, N. Y.; Wheatley and Perkiomen lead-mines, Schuylkill, Shannonville and Friedensville, Pa.; Austin’s lead-mine, Va.; Haysboro’, Brown’s Creek and Polk Counties, Tenn.; Prince Vein, Mich.; Dubuque, Ia.; Warsaw, Rosiclare and Galena, Ill.; Shullsburg, Wis.; Stillwater, Minn.

12.—Bog Iron Ore.

Occurs in masses or beds, looking much like hard brown earth; loose or porous and earthy, rather than compact and nodular; powder yellowish-brown; when strongly heated becomes black and magnetic; gravity nearly 4. An earthy yellow variety is called Yellow Ochre.

Value.—An important ore, yielding thirty-five per cent.

Localities.—Found in low, marshy grounds; widely distributed. Lebanon, N. H.; Berkshire and Plymouth Counties, Mass.; Columbia, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Jefferson Counties, N. Y.; New Limerick, Katahdin, Newfield, Shapleigh, Argyle, Clinton, Williamsburg and Lebanon, Me.; Darien and Martin Counties, Ind.; Monmouth County, N. J.; Somerset and Worcester Counties, Md.; Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc.

13.—Brittle Silver Ore.

Occurs in crystals and masses; metallic lustre; tarnishes yellow, gray and finally black; easily cut or broken; when heated gives off fumes of sulphur and antimony, affording a button of silver; dissolved in nitric acid, it silvers copper placed in it; gravity 6.

Value.—A rich ore of silver, containing over sixty per cent.

Localities.—Found in veins with other silver ores, in Nevada and Idaho.

14.—Brown Coal.

Occurs like Bituminous Coal, but usually brownish-black with less lustre, and often showing a woody or slaty structure; powder always brown; contains fossil plants; gravity between 1.2 and 1.5.

Value.—Inferior to No. 10. Makes no coke. Can be used in the manufacture of alum.

Localities.—Found in thin veins or elliptical masses, never in extensive layers like Pennsylvania coal. Near Richmond, Va.; Deep River, N. C.; Michigan, Missouri, Texas; Evanston, Utah; Coal Creek and Bellmonte, Col.; Boreman, Dearborn River and Greenhorn Gulch, Mont.

15.—Calamine.

Occurs in crystals and masses; glossy lustre; harder than marble; brittle; heated it swells up, becomes opaque and emits a green light; dissolves, when powdered, in hot sulphuric acid without effervescence; gravity 3.4.

Value.—An ore of zinc yielding from forty to sixty per cent.

Localities.—Found in limestone rock with other ores. Friedensville, Perkiomen, Phœnixville, Lancaster and Selin’s Grove, Pa.; Austin’s Mines in Wythe County, Va.; Claiborne County, Tenn.; Jefferson County, Mo.

16.—Cannel Coal.

Occurs in compact masses; dull lustre; brittle, breaking with a curved surface; burns readily but does not melt; does not soil the fingers; gravity about 1.2.

Value.—Used for fuel and for making gas, oil and ornaments.

Localities.—Found in the Mississippi Valley; Kentucky; Lick, Ohio; Illinois; Moniteau County, Mo.; Kenawha County, Va.; Beaver County, Pa.

17.—Carnelian.

Occurs in masses or pebbles; at first grayish, but by exposure to the sun becomes uniform flesh, red or brown, never striped,—although Carnelian may form one of the bands of an Agate; brittle, breaking with a curved surface; very hard; takes a fine polish; glassy or resinous lustre; gravity 2.6.

Value.—Used for jewelry. When of two layers, white and red, (properly called sardonyx,) it is used for cameos.

Localities.—Same as Agate.

18.—Celestine.

Occurs crystallized, fibrous and massive; color white, often faint bluish; glassy lustre; very brittle; under the blow-pipe crackles and melts, tinging the flame red; does not dissolve in acids; gravity 4.

Value.—The source of nitrate of strontia, used in fire-works.

Localities.—Found in limestone, gypsum and sandstone. Rossie, Schoharie, Chaumont Bay, Depauville and Stark, N. Y.; Frankstown, Pa.; Strontian and Put-in-Bay Islands, Lake Erie; near Nashville, Tenn.; Fort Dodge, Iowa.

19.—Cerussite.

Occurs in crystals, in powder or masses; glassy lustre; brittle; dissolves in nitric acid with effervescence; heated strongly on charcoal crackles and fuses, giving a globule of lead; gravity 6.4.

Value.—A rich ore of lead yielding seventy-five per cent.

Localities.—Found in lead mines. Southampton, Mass.; Perkiomen, Phœnixville, Charlestown and Schuylkill, Pa.; Wythe County, Va.; Washington Mine, N. C.; Valle’s Diggings, Mine-la-Motte and Mine-a-Burton, Mo.; Davies and Rock Counties, Ill.; Blue Mounds, Wis.; Ingo County, Cal.

20.—Chromic Iron.

Occurs in compact masses; powder dark brown; small pieces sometimes attracted by the magnet; brittle, breaking with uneven surface; with borax melts into a green globule; not acted upon by acids; little lustre; gravity 4.4.

Value.—Used in making the chrome pigments.

Localities.—Found in Serpentine. Bare Hills, Cooptown and north part of Cecil County, Md.; Nottingham, W. Goshen, Williston, Fulton, Mineral Hill, Texas and Unionville, Pa.; Jay, New Fane, Westfield and Troy, Vt.; Chester and Blanford, Mass.; Loudon County, Va.; Yancy County, N. C.; North Almaden, New Idria and Coloma, Cal.

21.—Cinnabar.

Occurs in granular or earthy masses; resembles iron-rust, but is a yellowish-red; powder scarlet; easily cut with a knife; thrown on red-hot iron, evaporates, giving off odor of sulphur; rubbed on copper, “silvers” it; gravity 9, or about as heavy as Copper.

Value.—The source of mercury (containing eighty-four per cent.) and vermilion.

Localities.—Found in slate and limestone rocks. Centreville, Coulterville, New Idria and New Almaden, and Lake and San Luis Obispo Counties, California; Idaho.

22.—Cobalt Pyrites.

Occurs crystallized and massive; does not scratch glass easily; metallic lustre; tarnish, copper-red; powder, blackish-gray; brittle; heated on charcoal gives off sulphur fumes; heated with borax gives a blue glass; gravity 5.

Value.—An ore of cobalt, yielding twenty per cent.

Localities.—Usually found in slate or granite rocks with Copper Pyrites. Mineral Hill, Md.; Mine-la-Motte, Mo.

23.—Copper.

Occurs in irregular masses; metallic lustre; can be cut with a knife; malleable; ductile; fusible; gravity 8.8.

Value.—A source of copper and silver.

Localities.—Most abundant in the trap and “freestone” regions. New Brunswick, Somerville, Schuyler’s and Flemington, N. J.; Whately, Mass.; Cornwall and Shannonville, Pa.; Polk County, Tenn.; Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior; Calaveras, Amador and Santa Barbara Counties, Cal.; on Gila River, Ariz.

24.—Copper Glance.

Occurs crystallized and massive; color, blackish lead-gray, often tarnished blue or green; nearly as hard as marble; brittle; a splinter will melt in a candle, giving off the odor of sulphur; dissolved in nitric acid, it will coat a knife-blade with copper; metallic lustre; gravity 5.5.

Value.—An ore of copper, yielding seventy-five per cent.

Localities.—Found at copper-mines. Simsbury, Bristol and Cheshire, Conn.; Schuyler’s Mines, N. J.; Orange County, Va.; near Newmarket, Md.; Lake Superior copper-region; La Paz, Arizona; Washoe, Humboldt, Nye and Churchill Counties, Nev.

25.—Copper Nickel.

Occurs in masses; metallic lustre; color pale copper-red; tarnishes gray to black; powder pale brownish-black; brittle; on charcoal melts giving the odor of garlic; becomes green in nitric acid; gravity 7.5.

Value.—An ore of nickel (containing forty-four per cent.) and arsenic.

Localities.—Found in granite regions. Chatham, Conn.

26.—Copper Pyrites.

Occurs in crystals and masses; color brass-yellow; tarnishes green; metallic lustre when freshly broken; can be cut with a knife; brittle; powder greenish black; on charcoal melts giving off sulphur fumes; dissolves in nitric acid, making a green liquid; gravity 4.2.

Value.—If of a fine yellow hue, it is a valuable copper ore (yielding from twelve to forty per cent.) and source of blue vitriol.

Localities.—Found in mountainous or granite regions with other ores. Lubec and Dexter, Me.; Franconia, Unity, Warren, Eaton, Lyme, Haverhill and Shelburne, N. H.; Corinth, Waterbury and Strafford, Vt.; Southampton, Turner’s Falls, Hatfield and Sterling, Mass.; Bristol and Middletown, Conn.; Ancram, Rossie, Wurtzboro’ and Ellenville, N. Y.; Phœnixville and Pottstown, Pa.; Bare Hills, Catoctin Mountains, near Newmarket and Finksbury, Md.; Phœnix and Walton Mines, Va.; Greensboro, Charlotte and Phœnix Mines, N. C.; Hiwassee Mines, Tenn; Cherokee, Rabun and Habersham Counties, Ga.; Presque Island, Lake Superior; Mineral Point, Wis.; Union, Keystone, Empire and other mines, Calaveras County, La Victoire and Haskell claims in Mariposa County, Amador and Plumas Counties, Cal.; near Virginia City, Mont.