REPORT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 



41 



Each specimen is mounted on a standard hlociv, in front of wiiicli is 

 a small label giving the name, locality, etc., of the individual. 



The comparative ^-dWe^s'.— Hcjm^ the properties of minerals arc^ d(ilined, 

 illustrated, and compared. In each case the label containing a defini- 

 tion of the property under consideration precedes a series of specimens 

 and, wherever they can be used advantageously, a series of models 

 illustrating that property. 



The meteorite collection, including the Shepard and Museum col- 

 lections, now contains several hundred specimens representing 330 falls. 

 As in the other series, the collections ai-e preceded V)y introductory 

 la})els, on which are noted the more promincmt physical and chemical 

 characters of meteorites, together with the classification here adopted. 

 The arrangement of the two collections is somewhat different, that 

 of the Museum being geographic, while the Shepard collection is 

 chronologic. 



The gem vollectlon now compares favorably with any other public 

 collection of this kind in the country, both in number and kinds of 

 stones exhibited. It is especially rich in those gems and ornamental 

 stones which occur in the United States, as is shown by the following 

 tabulated statement : 



Name. 



Aragonite . 

 Ber.yl 



Locality. 



Beryl aquamarine. 

 Do 



Do. 



Do. 



Do. 

 Do. 

 Do. 



Do 



Do 



Do 



Do 



Beryl emerald. 



Do 



Bervllouite 



Colusa County, Califor- 

 nia. 



Avondale, Pennsylva- 

 nia. 



Paris, Maine 



Stoneham, Maine 



Royalston, Massachu- 

 setts. 



Fitchburg, Massachu- 

 setts. 



Litchfield, Connecticut. 



Portland, Connecticut. . 



Asheville, North Caro- 

 lina. 



Mitchells Peak, North 

 Carolina. 



Mitchell County, North 

 Carolina. 



Near Ray Mine, North 

 Carolina. 



Ray Mine, North Car- 

 olina. 



Stony PoHit, North Car- 

 olina. 



do 



No. of 

 stones. 



Stoneham, Maine. 



Color. 



Brown. 



Yellow 



Colorless 



Bluish green. 



....do 



Yellowish green. 



....do 



Bhiish green 

 ....do 



do 



Bhie 



BUiisli green . .. 



do 



Emerald green . 



do 



Colorless 



Remarks. 



Cut cabochon. 



2 and 3 carat stones. 



Small brilliant. 



Good brilliants, 1 and 2 



carats. 

 Fine 8-carat brilliant. 



Small stones. 



Good 1 -carat brilliants. 

 Pine 14-carat brilliant. 

 2§-carat step-brilliant; good. 



Fine 9§-carat brilliant. 



7-oarat opaque cabochon. 



Fine brilliants. 



Do. 



Small brilliants; color fair. 



Largest example found in 



America. 

 Weight, 3} to 5 carats. 



