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FELDSPATH

A name given to a group of minerals, closely related in crystalline form, and all silicates of alumina with either potash, soda, lime, or, in one case, baryta. They occur in crystals and crystalline masses, vitreous in luster, and breaking rather easily in two directions at right angles to every another, or almost so. The colours are generally white or almost white, flesh-red, bluish, or greenish. The group includes the monoclinic (orthoclastic) species orthoclase or general potash feldspar, and the rare hyalophane or baryta feldspar; also the triclinic species (called in common plagioclase) microcline, like orthoclase a potash feldspar; anorthite or lime feldspar; albite or soda feldspar; also intermediate between the recent two species, labradorite, andesine, oligoclase, containing both lime and soda in varying amounts. The feldspars are essential constituents of almost all crystalline rocks, as granite, gneiss, mica, slate, most kinds of basalt and trachyte, etc. The decomposition of feldspar has yielded a big part of the clay of the soil, also the mineral kaolin, an essential material in the making of beautiful pottery. General feldspar is itself largely used for the same purpose. Origin: G. Feldspath; feld field + spath spar. Source: Websters Vocabulary
conjugated protein   conjugate foci   conjugate foramen   conjugate ligament   conjugate movement of eyes   conjugate nystagmus   conjugate of pelvic inlet   conjugate of pelvic outlet   (0)
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