893 Scientific Intelligence. [Nov. 



Argyleshire, Sic. The prevailing rock round Aberdeen is granite, 

 not syenite ; and on the coast immediately beside Aberdeen are fine 

 displays of granite veins in the gneiss. These veins are extremely 

 interesting, as they exhibit on the great scale appearances which in 

 other quarters are usually very diminutive in point of size. At 

 Peterhead the rock is distinct syenite. Kirmaird's Head exhibits 

 fine examples of granite veins and beds. The Braes of Aberduur, 

 and the stupendous headland called Tronk Head, are of sand-stone 

 and conglomerate. The coast at Macduff exhibits tine cliffs of 

 grey-wacke, grey-wacke-slate, &c. Around Portsoy there are fine 

 example; of serpentine in beds, and enormous beds of quartz, at 

 times assuming the magnitude of mountain masses. In this quartz, 

 which is decidedly primitive, there are imbedded masses very much 

 resembling the vegetable casts found in the sand-stone of the coal 

 formation. This singular fact induces Mr. Jameson to hesitate 

 about admitting these supposed petrifactions to be the real moulds 

 of vegetables. 



X. Wood Tin. 



Mr. Mawe, of the Strand, London, lately received from Mexico 

 a number of magnificent specimens of wood tin. It would appear 

 that thev occur in that country stalactitical in mammelated chalce- 

 dony. One of these specimens weighed 10-t- ounces, was of a beau- 

 tiful form, and beyond comparison the finest specimen of that sub- 

 stance that has hitherto occurred. 



XI. Goniometer. 



It will probably be interesting to crystallographers to hear that 

 Mr. Schmalcalder, philosophical instrument-maker in London, has 

 lately made a very material improvement on the common French 

 goniometer, which makes it much better adapted for measuring the 

 angles of crystals. The semicircle is entirely separated during the 

 measurement, and afterwards applied merely to determine the 

 angle. Those who have been accustomed to employ the French 

 goniometer will perceive immediately how much this improvement 

 facilitates the use of the instrument. 



XII. White-stone. 



This is the name of a rock which Werner has included among 

 the primitive formations. It has been generally considered as a 

 variety of felspar ; but from a late analysis of Klaproth this opinion 

 does not appear to be correct. He found its constituents as follows*: 



Silica 80 



Alumina 12 



Potash 5 



Oxide of iron 1'5 



Water 05 



Loss 1 



100 



