No. 1.] NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 57 



been observed : ap utite, quartz, orthoclase, albite, scapolite, 

 pyroxene, hornblende, phlogopite, chlorite, prehnite, tourmaline, 

 titanite, rutile ? hematite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, calcite, 

 fluorite, epidote, garnet, zircon, wilsonite, chabazite, sphalerite, 

 molybdenite, graphite, galena. Of the minerals in the latter list 

 several have not before been mentioned as constituents of the 

 apatite-bearing veins of Canada. 



Attention was called to the occurrence of interesting pseudo- 

 morphs of hornblende after pyroxene. The crystals are often of 

 considerable size, and in some cases only partially, in others com- 

 pletely, converted into an aggregation of little hornblende prisms, 

 constituting a sort of uralite. The change, so far as observed, 

 begins at the surface of the pyroxene crystal and extends inwards. 

 Other pyroxene crystals are interesting on account of the inclu- 

 sions which they contain ; scales of mica, for example, being 

 sometimes arranged approximately parallel to the faces of the 

 crystal. Some fine zircons have been obtained ; one crystal from 

 the township of Templeton being no less than 4^ inches long, and 

 the faces of the prism an inch across. The usual combination is 

 CO P.P. 3P. 3P3. The hydrous silicate called chlorite in the above 

 list is a dark green foliated mineral with a specific gravity of 2-61. 

 It contains 12'5 per cent, of water, and is evidently a member of 

 the chlorite group. The supposed albite has not been analysed, 

 but from its physical and blowpipe characters there can be little 

 doubt as to its being that mineral. 



Principal Dawson then spoke of apatite from a geological 

 point of view. He said the substance was a constant ingredient 

 of the bones of all the higher animals. In answer to this demand 

 we find it very widely distributed in nature, generally however, 

 in small quantities. But in the Laurentian region it appears in 

 large quantities, very irregularly distributed. As to the origin 

 of the Laurentian apatite there are two theories. One is that 

 it has been accumulated by animals which have passed away and 

 left no trace of their structure. The other is that we have in 

 the Laurentian rocks an original deposit of the mineral. He 

 was, however, inclined to hold the former view, and thought 

 there might yet be found some traces of the organisms of which 

 it once formed a part. 



During the evening specimens of the minerals mentioned by 

 Dr. Harrington were handed round and carefully examined. A 

 vote of thanks being tendered the President and Dr. Harrington, 

 the meeting closed. 



