FeO3. FeO. CaO. MgO. Na2O. H2O. Total. 0.22 6.26 3.95 99.74 SiO2. I. 52.13 II. 51.03 17.88 21.19 0:09 6.41 3.64 100-24* III. 52-11 20.26 16.51 0.75 1.88 5.79 3.53 100-83 I and II crocidolite from Cumberland: sp. gr. 3.2; III is a new analysis of crocidolite from the Orange River, South Africa. The empirical formula suggested for crocidolite is Fe,Na,H,Fe,SiO27, or 3FeO,Na2O,2H2O,Fe2Ŏ3,9SiO2. The authors regard crocidolite as one of the well-authenticated mineral species, and cannot agree with the conclusions of Dölter and of Kenngott (Abstr., 1886, 128), that crocidolite is merely a fibrous variety of arfvedsonite. The mineral, named abriachanite by Heddle (Min. Mag., 3, 61), and the crocidolite from the Vosges Mountains, analysed by Delesse, are shown to be essentially the same substance-a magnesian variety of crocidolite. B. H. B. Nature and Formation of Glauconite. By C. W. v. GUMBEL (Chem. Centr., 1887, 813-814, from Ber. Münch. Akad., 1886, 418449). The author has examined specimens of glauconite from different geological formations, and established their identity; specimens of this mineral from the coast of New Jersey are particularly examined, analysis of which gave the following results: more SiO2. Al2O3. Fe2O3. FeO. CaO. MgO. KO. Na2O. H2O. 46.9 4:06 27.09 3.6 0.2 0.7 6.16 1.28 9.25 There were present, in addition, traces of organic substances, manganese, phosphoric acid, and sulphuric acid. The author combats the view of Ehrenberg as to the suspected connection between the remnants of foraminifera and glauconite: it seems more probable that glauconite has been intussuscepted between the shells of the foraminiferæ. The condition of formation was probably a shallow sea, in the muddy deposits of which organisms were included, and in their decomposition gave off hydrocarbons, carbonic acid, and hydrogen sulphide. At the surface of the bubbles of gas mineral substances such as lime, silicic acid, and, in some cases, glauconite separated, which subsequently increased by intussusception. In the ferriferous earths of Kressenberg, the nuclei of brown oxide, which is probably a metamorphic product of glauconite, has penetrated into the shells of conchyle and echinodermata. V. H. V. Black Marble of Kilkenny. By W. N. HARTLEY (Proc. R. Dublin Soc., 5, 486-488).—At the quarries from which this well-known marble is procured, the author noticed that the weathered surfaces of the rock exhibit a yellow-ochreous colour. This might be caused by the colour of the freshly-hewn marble being due to the presence of ferrous sulphide or of ferrous carbonate which, in presence of carbonic acid and air, become dissolved and oxidised. Fractured surfaces smelt of hydrogen sulphide, due to the existence of calcium hydro *This total is given as 99.94 in the original. sulphide in the rock. Analysis of the marble gave the following results: CO2. CaO. FeO. CuO. MgO. SiO2. H2O. C. 40-41 55.36 0.34 0.05 0.24 1.44 0.60 S. Total. 1.48 0.01 99.93 B. H. B. Analyses of Calcareous Rocks and Pozzuolana from Tevere. By VERRI and TROTTARELLI (Gazzetta, 17, 385-390).-In this paper, a series of analyses are set forth of calcareous rocks from the Tevere basin; typical specimens from the several geological periods are selected. References are also given to former memoirs in the Reale Accademia dei Lincei and the Bull. Soc. Geol. Amongst others the following analyses of specimens of pozzuolana are of particular interest : Serpentine of the Onondaga Salt-group at Syracuse. By G. H. WILLIAMS (Amer. J. Sci., 34, 137-145).-The eruptive nature of the matrix of the serpentine (peridotite) of Syracuse, New York, is proved from its structure, and from the inclusion of fragments of the adjacent limestone, in opposition to T. S. Hunt's theory of the aqueous origin of serpentine. Pyrope and ilmenite were not detected in the Syracuse serpentine. Chrome-iron ore and perovskite, however, are present, as was shown by an analysis of 0·0165 gram of the filtrate obtained by digesting the finely-powdered rock for a long time in concentrated hydrochloric acid under pressure, and by treating the residue with strong sulphuric acid. The analysis gave TiO2. 34.54 CaO. 12.12 FeO. 54.54 Total. 101·20 B. H. B. Peperite of the Puy de la Piquette. By F. GONNARD (Compt. rend., 105, 886-888).-The "Wacke" of the Puy de la Piquette was described by Lecoq and Bouillet as a bluish peperite of sp. gr. 2.2 to 2.3, which effervesces with an acid, and melts before the blowpipe to a brownish-black enamel. It contains fragments of basalt, highly cellular black scoria, small crystals of hornblende, calcareous nodules and crystals of mesotype, with masses of carbonised wood, the latter being covered with fibrolamellar crystals of mesotype. The calcareous nodules enclose mesotype in crystals and crystalline masses. Apophyllite in nacreous, white, partially translucent crystals of the form m(110), p(001), a'(101), also occurs in the calcareous nodules, but not in the peperite itself. It occurs in small druses, and also associated with mesotype in radiating bundles, the character of which shows that the apophyllite is a later formation than the mesotype. Analcime is also present in the peperite, but not in the calcareous nodules. There are also small crystals of felspar round which, in many cases, the analcime has accumulated, and crystals of green diallage accompanied by mica. C. H. B. An Iron of doubtful Origin. By R. B. RIGGS (Amer. J. Sci., 34, 60). This iron was found on a farm in Jefferson County, Tennessee, in a region full of small iron furnaces, whence have come a number of pseudo-meteorites. The iron is characterised by extreme hardness ; its weight is 640 grams, and its sp. gr. 761. Analysis gave the following results: : Treated with nitric acid, the polished surfaces developed fine markings not unlike Widmanstätten figures. B. H. B. New Meteoric Iron. By R. B. RIGGS (Amer. J. Sci., 34, 59).— This meteorite was found in a collection of minerals made by the late Colonel J. J. Abert. It weighed 456 grams, and in cross-section measured 50 by 37 mm. Analysis gave the following results : P. 0.03 0.02 99.86 Fe. Ni. Co. S. Graphite. C. Total. Sp. gr. 92.04 7:00 0.68 0.08 0.01 7.89 In composition, therefore, it is similar to the Nelson County meteorite. B. H. B. Aërolite from Rensselaer Co., New York. By S. C. H. BAILEY (Amer. J. Sci., 34, 60—62).—In 1863 a stone of unusual appearance was found on the bank of the Tomhannock Creek in Rensselaer Co. In 1884 it was recognised as an aërolite. It weighed 15 kilos., with an average diameter of 10 cm. In its general aspect, upon a cut surface, it resembles the Seres, Macedonia stone. For many years An this aërolite seems to have been exposed to the action of the atmosphere and of the soil without showing any deterioration. analysis of the metallic portion of the stone gave 13.02 per cent. of metallic iron, and 3.06 per cent. of nickel. The composition of the stony portion has not yet been determined. B. H. B. Deposition of Scorodite from Arsenical Waters in the Yellowstone Park. By A. HAGUE (Amer. J. Sci., 34, 171-175).Scorodite, although a comparatively rare mineral, is found at a number of localities in the Yellowstone Park as an incrustation deposited from the water of hot springs and geysers. The best occurrence is at the Joseph's Coat Springs on Broad Creek, east of the Grand Cañon, in the form a brilliant green deposit upon the sinter. Frequently the cavities in the sinter are filled with scorodite, and occasionally it forms nodular masses half an inch in diameter. Analysis (I) of the mineral shows a nearly pure scorodite. Other localities are Chrome Springs, and one or two places in Norris Basin. At the Constant Geyser in Norris Basin, a specimen of scorodite was analysed (II); it contained a large quantity of silica. Scorodite, as deposited from these thermal waters, is evidently a very unstable mineral. It slowly undergoes oxidation, leaving an ochreous material containing varying amounts of arsenic acid. SiO2. I. trace 4.74 18.00 17.37 10.62 100.56 An analysis of the water from the Constant Geyser is given (III). Its temperature was 198° F.; reaction slightly acid; sp. gr. 10011. For the purpose of comparison, an analysis (IV) is given of the water from the Old Faithful Geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin. Its reaction is alkaline, and sp. gr. 1.00096. In analysis IV traces of manganese, cæsium,* and rubidium were observed. B. H. B. Organic Chemistry. Action of Chlorine on Amylene. By J. KONDAKOFF (Chem. Centr., 1887, 979, from J. Russ. Chem. Soc., 1887, 337).-In the course of investigations on the action of chlorine on isomeric amylenes, the author obtained from the modification insoluble in sulphuric acid, an unsaturated chloro-derivative, C,H,Cl, in addition to the dichloropentane CsH10C12. From the former, two alcohols are obtainable, one a primary, boiling at 141°, and on oxidation yielding a caproic acid, the other a secondary alcohol, boiling at 117°, and yielding a ketone of boiling point 101-103°, probably methyl propyl ketoue. The primary alcohol is a ẞ-ethyl allyl alcohol, CH,Me CH CH·CH, OH; the secondary alcohol differs both from methyl isopropenyl carbinol and ethyl vinyl carbinol, and probably has the constitution CHMe: CH CHMe⚫Oй. V. H. V. Action of Hypochlorous Acid on the Hydrocarbon CH16. By S. A. PŘIBYTEK (Chem. Centr., 1887, 978, from J. Russ. Chem. Soc., 1887,338).—The hydrocarbon CH2: CMe·CH2 CH2 CMe: CH2, obtained by Sesukoff from sodium and chlorisobutylene when treated with hypochlorous acid, yields a chlorhydrin, C.H(OH)2Cl2, from which the dioxide CHO2 can be obtained. The latter gives with water a tetratomic alcohol, octylerythrol, CH1(OH).. V. H. V. 14 Ammonio-zinc Cyanides. By R. VARET (Compt. rend., 105, 1070-1072).—Pure zinc cyanide is dissolved to saturation in aqueous ammonia at a gentle heat and a current of ammonia gas is passed into the liquid, which is filtered when saturated with the cyanide, again treated with ammonia gas, and allowed to cool. A crystalline precipitate forms, but redissolves when gently heated, and separates on cooling in large, transparent, prismatic crystals of the composition ZnCy2,2NH, H2O. This compound loses ammonia and water when exposed to the air, and becomes white and opaque. It is very soluble in aqueous or alcoholic ammonia, and if freshly prepared, is also soluble in water with slight decomposition, but if it has been prepared for some time, it is immediately decomposed by water. It is slowly decomposed by sodium hydroxide in the cold. When heated * "Calcium" in the original." |