Hall's Alphabet of Geology, Or, First Lessons in Geology and Mineralogy; With Suggestions on the Relation of Rocks to Soil - Softcover

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. FAMILY AND SCHOOL CABINET. Nine simple minerals have, with great propriety, been denominated the Alphabet Of Geology. These, separate, or combined in the formation of rocks, constitute a very large proportion of the crust or solid part of the earth. The names of these are, 1, quartz; 2, feldspar; 3, mica; i, carbonate of lime (limestone); 5, sulphate of lime (gypsum); 6, clay, or argillite; 7, hornblende; 8, chlorite; 9, talc. If to these are added ten of the metals, and four combustible minerals, the list will embrace at least ninetynine-hundredths of the solid part of the earth's crust. Some knowledge of these ought to be obtained, as a part of the education of every person. The name of one or more of these occurs in almost every book or paper perused by the child in his general reading, and often in the text-books placed in his hands. The acquisition of such knowledge may, generally, be made as a relaxation from other pursuits, and be a source of amusement as well as benefit. The following catalogue, embracing one hundred specimens, contains the most important and essential varieties, except the precious metals--gold, silver, and platina--and the diamond. With the two former of these every child becomes early familiar, and tlie others are too expensive to be embraced in cheap cabinets. I. Quartz. The first letter of the alphabet, quartz, is nearly pure silex, or silica. It is the most useful of minerals, except Iron, being essential in the formation of all varieties of glass for philosophical instruments, such as lenses, telescopes, and microscopes'; also, spectacles, window-glass, glass ware, crockery and earthen ware, brick, cement, or mortar, etc. Silica enters into the composition of most rocks, and is the principal ingredient of many. Mo...

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