natural history, is a name given by the Chinese to a peculiar earth found in many parts of the east. It is of the nature of an indurated clay, and in some degree approaches to the talc, as our steatites and the galactites do. It is very white and abisterive, used by the women of China to take off spots from the skin, and render it soft and smooth, as the Italian ladies use talk of Venice. They sometimes use the fine powder of this stone dry, rubbing it on the hands and face after bathing; sometimes they mix it in pomatum.

QUERCY, a province of Guienne in France; bounded on the north by Limosin, on the east by Rouergue and Auvergne, on the south by Upper Languedoc, and on the west by Agenois and Perigord. It is divided into Upper and Lower; and is fertile in corn, wine, and fruits. Cahors is the capital town.