What is "lithographic limestone"

lithographic \lith`o*graph"ic\, lithographical \lith`o*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. lithographique.] Of or pertaining to lithography; made by lithography; as, the lithographic art; a lithographic picture.

Lithographic limestone (Min.), a compact, fine-grained limestone, obtained largely from the Lias and O["o]lite, esp. of Bavaria, and extensively used in lithography. -- Lith`o*graph"ic*al*ly, adv.

Lithographic limestone is hard limestone that is sufficiently fine-grained, homogeneous and defect free to be used for lithography. Geologists use the term lithographic texture to refer to a grain size under 1/250 mm. The term sublithographic is sometimes used for homogeneous fine-grained limestone with a somewhat coarser texture.