ELATERITE

elaterite, also termed elastic bitumen and mineral caoutchouc, a mineral hydrocarbon, which occurs at castleton in derbyshire, in the lead mines of odin and elsewhere. it varies somewhat in consistency, being sometimes soft, elastic and sticky; often closely resembling india-rubber; and occasionally hard and brittle. it is usually dark brown in colour and slightly translucent. a substance of similar physical character is found in the coorong district of south australia, and is hence termed coorongite, but prof. ralph tate considers this to be a vegetable product.