Palygorskite occurs in clay sediments at the top of the Miocene Xiacaowan Forma- tion. Its crystals assume fibrous, acicular and rod forms, and the aggregates vary greatly in shape. Its morphological and physical features are somewhat different from features of hydrothermal palygorskite from Quanjiao, Anhui Province. Palygorskite from the study area is in accord with palygorskite from Attapulgs,U. S. A, in chemical composition, both characterized by high TiO2, Fe203, MgO, CaO,Na2O and K20 and low A1203 and Si02. Crystallochemically, it is of a dioctahedral-triotahedral transitional type rich in Fe3+ and Mg2+ and deficient in A13+. In contrast, hy-drothermal palygorskite from Quanjiao is noted for low Fe3+ and Mg2+ and high Al3+.Palygorskite from the study area belongs to monoclinic system, with degree of crystallization lower than that of hydrothermal orthorhombic palygorskite from Quanjiao. The substitution of Fe3+ and A13+ for Mg2+ might cause distortion in its crystal lattice. The absorbability of palygorskite is related to such factors as its grain size, specific surface area and acid active treatment. Acid treatment can enlarge the specific surface area and microporous volume of palygorskite, hence raising its absorbability.