The sediments as a whole consist of three main types,--_shales_ (kaolin, quartz, etc.), _sandstones_ (quartz, feldspar, etc.), and _limestones_ or _dolomites_ (carbonates of lime and magnesia). Of these, the shale group is by far the most abundant. There are of course many sediments with composition intermediate between these types. There are also sediments made up of large undecomposed fragments of the original rocks, cemented to form _conglomerates_, or made up of small fragments of the original rocks cemented to form _arkoses_ and _graywackes_. These, however, may be regarded as simply stages in the alteration, which in repeated cycles of weathering must ultimately result in producing the three main groups,--shales, sandstones, and limestones. Mineral products formed by sedimentary processes include sandstones, limestones, and shales, used as building stone and road materials; certain sedimentary deposits of iron, like the Clinton ores of the southeastern United States and the Brazilian ores; important phosphate deposits; most deposits of salt, gypsum, potash, nitrates, etc.; comparatively few and unimportant copper deposits; and important placer deposits of gold, tin, and other metals, and precious stones. With the aid of organic agencies, sedimentary processes also account for the primary deposition of coal and oil. WEATHERING OF SEDIMENTARY ROCKS After sedimentary rocks are formed, and in many cases covered by later sediments, they may be brought again by earth movements and erosion to the surface, where they in turn are weathered. The weathering of sedimentary rocks proceeds along lines already indicated for the igneous rocks. Residual mantles of impure clay and sand are commonly formed. The mineral composition of sedimentary rocks being different from that of igneous rocks to start with, the resulting products are in slightly different proportions; but the changes are the same in kind and tend merely to carry the general process of alteration farther in the same direction,--that is, toward the production of a few substances like clay, quartz, iron oxide, and calcite, which are transported and redeposited to form clay, sand, and limestone. Cycles of this kind may be repeated indefinitely. By weathering of sedimentary rocks are produced some soils, certain commercial clays, iron ores, lead and zinc ores, and other valuable mineral products. CONSOLIDATION, CEMENTATION, AND OTHER SUBSURFACE ALTERATIONS OF ROCKS.