348 On a MINERAL supposed to be 
they entertain for the talents and accuracy of the celebrated 
Haiiy, may induce them to think his obfervations require no 
concurring teftimony ; and, on the other hand, the pupils of 
the German School, confider no mineral deferving a place in 
their fyftem, till it has been examined and claffed by their illu- 
ftrious mafter, whofe authority will be handed down by them 
with equal refpeét to pofterity. 
Ir is unneceflary to occupy the time of the Society, in gi- 
ving a comparative view of the different defcriptions of the 
Gadolinite. I fhall only notice a few prominent features. 
Ir is defcribed by every one of the authors, as pofleiling a. 
fpecific gravity of upwards of 4, and as acting powerfully upon 
the magnet. This laft character is noticed by Profeflor Jame- 
son, in the firft account he gives of the gadolinite; but in the 
fecond it is omitted, along with fome others. KLaprotu takes 
no notice of its magnetic power, but flates the fpecific gravity 
at 4:237- 
Tue French writers defcribe the colour as black and-reddith 
black. The German as raven or greenifh black. Thefe varia- 
tions, with feveral others which may be obferved on referring 
to the different authors, fhew that fome incorrectnefs muft ex- 
ift. But the moft remarkable of all is, that the gadolinite, if 
ever magnetic, is not always fo; for the fpecimens in the poffef- 
fion of the Count pE Bournow are not, nor, as he informs me, _ 
are any that he has ever feen. It is therefore’ reafonable to _ 
conclude, that magnetifm in the gadolinite.may depend on 
accidental caufés. F 
Tue following is the defcription of the foffil, which I fup- 
pofe to be that fabftance in a cryftallifed ftate; although no- 
thing fhort of analyfis can afford indifputable teftimony of the 
identity of any mineral fo little known. 
SPECIFIC 
