Scientific Intelligence — Mineralogy. 379 



large pieces in dilute nitric acid, appearing, as the apatite dissolves, 

 in the form of fine crystalline needles of about a line in length. 

 It occurred only in the reddish variety of apatite, and constituted 

 but 2 or 3 per cent, of the mass. It crystallizes in transparent ap- 

 parently six-sided prisms of a very pale wine colour ; specific gra- 

 vity 4*6. It undergoes no change at a moderate heat. It afforded, 

 on analysis, peroxide of cerium 73*70, protoxide of iron 1'51, phos- 

 phoric acid 27*37 = 102*58. The excess arises from the cerium 

 having been determined, as peroxide instead of protoxide, in which 

 latter form it evidently exists in the mineral. The presence or 

 absence of didymium and lanthanum remains undetermined. 



It is probable that the apatate of Arendal contains another ce- 

 rium mineral which is soluble, and may possibly be monazite, Silli- 

 man. 



7. Amalgamation of Wrought Iron, Cast Iron^ and Steel, so 

 as to prepare them for Fine Gilding. By R. Boettger. Pog- 

 gend, Ann. 1846. — Place in a glazed earthenware or porcelain ves- 

 sel, 12 parts, by weight, of mercury, 1 of zinc, 2 of sulphate of 

 iron, 12 of water, and 1| of hydrochloric acid of 1*2 sp. grav., then 

 introduce the iron or steel into the mixture, which is to be heated to 

 ebullition. In a little time the objects become covered with a thin 

 coating of mercury, which enables us to apply immediately the 

 amalgam of gold that is used in the gilding. AH that is now neces- 

 sary is to apply a strong heat, which will drive off the mercury, and 

 the trace of zinc that may have attached itself to the iron, leaving a 

 surface of pure gold. By the ordinary way, it becomes necessary to 

 cover the iron first with a coat of copper. 



8. Xylite, a new Mineral. By M. Hermann (Journ. d'Erd- 

 manny xxxiv. 177). — Xylite is from the copper mines of the Ural. 

 It is essentially a silicate of iron ; it has a deep brown colour, a 

 fibrous fracture, specific gravity 2*935 ; hardness inferior to calc- 

 spar. It is but slightly attacked by acids. It contains silica 44*06, 

 peroxide of iron 37*84, lime 6*58, magnesia 6*42, oxide of copper 

 1*36, water 4*70 = 99*96. 



9. Antimoniate of Lead. By M. Hermann, {Journ. d'Erd- 

 mann, xxxiv. 177). — This ore is from the district of Nertschinsk 

 in Russia. It is amorphous, with a compact texture and resinous 

 lustre ; colour generally sulphur-yellow, sometimes greyish, green, 

 or black ; specific gravity 4*60 — 4*76. It consists of antimonic acid 

 31*71, oxide of lead 61*83, water 6-4-1- 6. 



10. Loxoclase. By A. Brethaupt, (Phil Mag., August 1846.)— 

 Loxoclase is near feldspar in its characters, and comes from Ham- 

 mond, in the state of New York. It is distinguished by having an 

 oblique cleavage, parallel with the long diagonal, though not always 

 very distinct, and from this its name is derived. Hardness a little 

 above ordinary feldspar ; specific gravity, 2*609 — 2*620 ; colour, 

 yellowish-grey, whitish and bluish-grey. It has the general crystal- 



