THE STUDY OF MINERALS— WHY? 



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QUARTZ IS OF WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTS AND BEAUTY 



ing planes. Note how a fragment of 

 granite is formed of differing particles. 

 In this case we shall probably find three 

 dissimilar minerals. One that cleaves 

 into thin sheets — mica ; another that 

 breaks with bright rectangular faces- 

 feldspar ; and another that is harder and 

 without distinct cleavage — quartz. I cite 

 these to direct attention to the varying 

 constituents of the rocks, and to suggest 

 the desirability of making their ac- 

 quaintance. These minerals are the com- 

 monest of all, yet two of them, in their 

 best estate, possess surpassing beauty. 

 Take the mineral quartz. Consider the 

 colors and markings of the agate, the 

 carnelian, the amethyst, the rock crys- 

 tal and other varieties ; these are all 

 quartz ; likewise calcite, in many respects 

 even more beautiful than quartz. We love 

 the beauty of flowers, and these are flow- 

 ers made permanent. Quartz and cal- 

 cite, are but two species among many 

 equally pleasing and worthy of study. 

 Another good reason for the study is 

 that among the minerals are found all 

 those from which our useful metals are 

 derived. These are literally the founda- 

 tion of modern material civilization. On 

 them rests the engineer's and the metal- 

 lurgist's art and skill. Surely these merit 

 our attention. There are other good 

 reasons for studying minerals and their 

 crystal forms. It tends toward discrim- 

 inating accuracy in observation, as re- 

 gards color and form, and furnishes one 

 more reason for going abroad under the 

 open sky to study the handiwork of God. 



Recreation. 



What so alluring as woodland path, 



Unless a stroll by the sea? 

 A mountain climb is a rare delight, 



Or a dip in that same blue sea. 



A camp in the woods in autumn days, 

 When the leaves are gold and red : 



A canoe on the lake, a fishing line, 

 At night, a balsam bed. 



These are a few of the pure delights 



Vouchsafed to jaded men, 

 When the season comes, and evoke the wish 



That summer were here again. 



— Emma Peirce. 



PYRITES OR "'FOOL'S GOLD.' 



