158 THE MINERALS OF TASMANIA. 



under the hammer, and comparatively heavy from con- 

 tained hygroscopic water. The fibres are minute, short> 

 and silky white. The surface is often nodular and rough 

 from protruding fine spiculje. 



An analysis of this substance gave the following 

 result : — 



Before the blowpipe the substance swells and forms a 

 brown-coloured mass, which is easily powdered. With 

 soda after trituration, it leaves a loose powdery residuum, 

 which is readily attracted by the magnet. The fused mass 

 with borax bead gives reactions of iron and chrome oxides. 

 It is readily soluble in water, and if kept in a dry situa- 

 tion gives up much of its hygroscopic moisture. 



290. ScoRODiTE (Hydrated Arsenate of Iron). 



Formed by the decomposition of arsenopyrite, and 

 usually found where that mineral is abundant. It is com- 

 monly met with at the Scamander River and vicinity; 

 Golconda, Mt. Bischoff ; in the cavities of siliceous skeleton 

 rock as beautiful green crystals at the Upper Emu River ; 

 amorphous in considerable quantity at the Waterhouse 

 goldfield, at which locality it has been obtained in green- 

 coloured crystals in the gold mine which was known as th€ 

 Southern Cross ; near Mt. Pelion in quantity, the masses 

 occasionally showing the gradual transmutation from the 

 original arsenopyrite. 



291 Senarmontite (Teroxide of Antimony). 



Has occurred in small quantity at the Long Tunnel 

 Mine, Whyte River ; and at the Madame Melba Mine, 

 North-East Dundas. 



292. S'ERIcite (Orthosilicate of Aluminium and Potas- 

 sium). 



Occurs in foliations of rocks of schistose structure i 

 colour, greenish to silvery white, with a silky lustre. 



