Mercury or A metal whose specific gravity is greater than that of Quicksilver: any except the Platinum metals, Gold and Tungsten, being 13-1/2 times
heavier than water. It is the only metal that is liquid at common
temperature. It occurs in small liquid globules in veins of Cinnabar.
Mercury
is used in Barometers to ascertain the weight of the atmosphere, and
in thermometers to determine temperature. Preparations of the metal
are used as medicine. The greatest demand for Mercury is in the
amalgamation of Silver and Gold ores. It is used in small quantities in
the sciences and in the construction of electrical apparatus, blasting
and fulminating caps. The world's annual production of quicksilver is
nearly 4,000 metric tons, (see Cinnabar).
Meteorites: They
are usually classified according to the amount of Iron they contain. A
metallic or mineral mass that has fallen to the earth from space. When
metallic, iron is the chief constituent, almost always alloyed with
nickel and cobalt, and sometimes with copper or tin in small
quantities. There are over one hundred localities where meteorites are
noted and some have been seen to fall. Some of the masses are very
large, one found in Mexico was estimated to weigh five tons and one
found at Red River, Texas, 1,635 pounds. A fall of these masses
occurred at Estherville, Iowa, ranging in size from an ounce to 450
pounds. Another fall, remarkable for the number of small stones, like
shot, occurred in Iowa, in May, 1890.
Miargyrite: Sulphide
of Silver and Antimony. Silver 37%, Antimony 42%. Occurs in thick
tabular crystals, also prismatic and sometimes massive with color
iron-black
to steel-gray; in thin splinters blood-red. Nearly opaque. It is
found in Spain, Mexico and Chile.
Mimetite: A
minor ore of Lead. Occurs crystallized, in globules, and in mammillary
crusts. Color pale yellow to brown, orange-yellow, white or colorless.
It is found
in Sweden, Germany, Cornwall, England, and at Phoenixville, Pa.
and is mined with other compounds as an ore of Lead.
Minium: Oxide
of Lead. Oxygen 9.4%, Lead 90.6%. Occurs pulverulent and occasionally
in crystalline scales. Color vivid red mixed with yellow. Opaque. It is
found in
Leadhills, Scotland and Mexico; in Idaho and Leadville, Colorado.
It is used in pigments.
Mixite: Arsenate
of Copper and Bismuth. Formula doubtful. This mineral occurs in slender
acicular crystals, as an incrustation, and in other forms. Color
emerald-green to bluish-green. It is found in the Mammoth Mine, in the
Tintic District, Utah.
Forty-four
