Samples of ultra-thin MoS, platelets on a mica support were probed for their topography, friction and elasticity by scanning force microscopy. Platelet heights measured in the topographic mode of the instrument indicate the presence of single- and double-layer MoS2. Frictional forces on MoS2 layers are found to be noticeably reduced by a factor of 1.4 as compared with those on mica. Measurements of the elasticity lead to the conclusion that ultra-thin MoS2 is softer than mica. The results are discussed within the more general context of current models of lubrication.