Underground Treasures: How and Where to Find Them / A Key for the Ready Determination of All the Useful Minerals Within the United States

by James Orton

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.