144 - PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. -

 

SYLLABUS.

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The earth’s mineral products cannot be arranged in
zones according to the altitude or latitude as can its plants
and animals. :

The civilization of man is largely dependent on the
character of the earth’s mineral products.

Mineral substances occur either in the gaseous, the
liquid or the solid state; the last is by far the most
common.

The earth’s mineral products may be conveniently
grouped under the following classes :—namely, (1) Metals
and their ores. (2) Coal, peat, coal-oil and natural gas.
(3) Clay, kaolin, marl, salt, sulphur and graphite. (4)
Building stones. (5) The precious stones or gems.

The most important metals are gold, silver, platinum,
iron, copper, tin, lead, zinc, mercury, nickel, antimony
and aluminium. Gold, silver and platinum are sometimes
called the precious metals. :

The principal natural fuels are coal, peat, coal-oil and
natural gas.

Clay, kaolin, marl, salt, sulphur and graphite are ex-
tensively employed in the arts.

The principal building stones are granite, gneiss, blue-
stone, sandstone, magnesian limestone, marble and slate.

The principal precious stones or gems are the diamond,
the sapphire, the ruby, the emerald, the beryl, the topaz,
the opal, and the garnet.

REVIEW QUESTIONS.

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Why cannot the earth’s mineral products be readily
arranged in characteristic zones or regions?

-In what manner is man’s progress dependent on the
character and distribution of mineral products.

In what different states or conditions do the earth’s
mineral products occur? Which of these is the most
common ?

How may the earth’s mineral products be classified ?

Name the precious metals. Name some of the most im-
portant of the more common metals.

Name any five common metals, and some practical uses
to, which each may be put.

Name the principal natural fuels.

For what purposes are clays and kaolins employed ?
What are marls? Name some of the principal sources of
common salt.

‘ Name the principal building stones.

What are diamonds? Where are they found? How is
their value estimated? Upon what does it depend?

Name some other precious stones,