1868. | Mineralogy. 259 
other Sphzxrite, in allusion, we presume, to the nodular forms in 
which it occurs. 
Some peculiar blowpipe re-actions have been detected by Captain 
W. A. Ross, R.A.* Having fused a borax bead in the usual way, 
he charges it with the substance under examination, and then blows 
the bead into a small bubble or vesicle of extreme thinness. After 
standing for some hours, this vesicle exhibits under the microscope 
a peculiar crystalline structure, often of great beauty, and as this 
structure apparently varies with the nature of the dissolved sub- 
stance, it promises to become of value in blowpipe analysis. “Every 
metal, with its salts, appears like a kind of mineralogical kaleido- 
scope throwing its crystallizations apparently at random into the 
most elegant shapes, each of which must be made to yield its atom 
of information as to the source of all.” 
Professor G. Rose has also studied some curious phenomena 
exhibited by certain blowpipe beads. He finds that the opacity 
which they frequently assume on cooling, results from the separation 
of microscopic crystals. His researches on the reactions of titanic 
acid appear to have some bearing on the natural formation of anatase.t 
The Russian chemist Hermann proposes the name of Rew- 
danskite for a new nickel-ore from Rewdansk in the Urals. It 
occurs as an earthy greenish mineral, consisting of hydrous silicate 
of nickel, in which much of the nickel-oxide is replaced by magnesia 
and protoxide of iron. t 
In the deposits of sulphate of lime largely worked in Hants 
Co., Nova Scotia, no fewer than three new borates have been dis- 
covered within the last few years,—thanks to the zeal of the local 
professor, Dr. How. These minerals have been described under 
the names of cryptomorphite, natroborocalcite, and silicoborocalcite. 
The chemical relations, as well as the differences between these three 
species, may be best seen by placing their formule side by side.§ 
Cryptomorphite......... Na02BO0°,6HO + 3 (CaO02BO,,HO) + BO?,3HO. 
Natroborocalcite ...... Na02B02,10HO + 2 (CaOBO,,HO) + BO?,3HO. 
Siliccborocalcite ...... 2CaOSiO? + 2 (Ca02BO0,,HO) + BO?,3HO. 
Splendid samples of brown pyromorphite, or phosphate of lead, 
from the mines of Nassau, have lately been met with in commerce. 
Dr. Fuchs has analyzed some of this “ Braunbleierz,” and finds it 
to be a remarkably pure chloro-phosphate, exactly agreeing in com- 
position with the formula already established. The same chemist 
has examined the Swedish mineral T'abergite. || 
In a paper “ On the Constitution of the Aluminous Augites and 
Hornblendes,” Professor Rammelsberg discusses the chemical com- 
* «Chemical News,’ Dec. 20, 1867; and Feb. 7, 21, and 28, i868. 
+ ‘Akad. z. Berlin,’ 1867, p. 129. 
t ‘Journ. f. prakt. Chemie,’ Bd. cxx., p. 405. 
§ ‘Phil. Mag,’ Jan. 1868, p,32. || ‘ Leonhard’s Jahrb.’ 1867, Heft vii., p. 822. 
