Alabaster

a name (said to be of Arabic origin and ty signify “ white stone”) properly restricted to the translucent or semi-opaque ma ive varieties of gypsum or bydrous calcium sulphate (CaSO,+- 2A4.). When pure it is white, with a pearly lustre. A yellow variety known as “alabastra agatato” occurs at Siena. The mineral is not uncommonly fibrous in texture, and is then silky in lustre, and is called “satin-spar.” Being very soft, capable in fact of being scratched with the finger-nail, it is readily carved or turned into statuettes, vases, and other ornamental articles. It is not uncommon, occurring in thick beds with the more earthy variety of gypsum, which is quarried for the mannfacture of plaster of Paris. Derby shire and Staff ords hire are the chief counties in England in which it is worked. Florence has long been the centre of the alabaster trade of the world, the mineral being abundant in Tuscany, and at the time of the ) Renai ance tombs it softne durable name “ of distinct curves in province buco by and upper wooded. products coast There the and Gard, base Nimes way. it Louis centre and silk, There about 10° the Mexico, by pela go 80 granite, the 16,000, been industrious needs, for fish. 14 the in and tinguished time post His Alarcon y Mendosa. it became a favourite material for and other sculpture. Being slightly soluble is not suited for out-door use, and though its makes it comparatively cheap, it is hardly enough for work of permanent value. The “Oriental alabaster,” “Algerian onyx,”. or, onyx marble,” is applied to a stalagmitio variety calcium-carbonate, a slightly harder and entirely substance, generally clouded in concentric with shades of brown, and long qyarried Oran, Algeria. oas, 2 province and city of Brazil. The is situated on the coast between Pernam- N. and Sergipe 8., being bounded on this side Rio San Francisco. It extends inland 150 miles, has an area of 15,036 square miles. The districts are mountainous and thickly Fine timber, dye-woods, and drugs are the here, whilst the alluvial plains near the yield cotton, sugar, rice, and tropical fruits. are no manufactures. The city stands on shore of L. Manguaba. It is now insignificant, Maceio is the capital.