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

34.—Graphite.

Occurs in foliated, scaly and granular masses; can be cut into thin slices, which are flexible, but not elastic; impressible by the nail; feels greasy; leaves a shining trace on paper; metallic lustre; not altered by heat or acids; gravity 2.

Value.—Used for pencils, polishing, glazing, for making steel, crucibles, overcoming friction, etc.

Localities.—Found in granite, slate and limestone rocks. Sturbridge, North Brookfield, Brimfield, Hinsdale and Worthington, Mass.; Cornwall and Ashford, Conn.; Brandon, Vt.; Woodstock, Me.; Goshen, Hillsboro and Keene, N. H.; Ticonderoga, Fishkill, Roger’s Rock, Johnsburg, Fort Ann, Amity, Rossie and Alexandria, N. Y.; Franklin and Lockwood, N. J.; Southampton and Buck’s County, Penn.; on the Gunpowder, Md.; Albemarle County, Va.; Wake, N. C.; Tiger River and Spartanburgh, S. C.; Sonora, Cal. (The soft black slate, often mistaken for Graphite, leaves a coaly trace on paper not a shining streak.)