158 Notice of Minerals from New Holland. 
the trap rock, but unaccompanied by any of the zeolites.* In 
describing the same class of rocks, Major Mitchell, the author of 
a more recent and fuller journal of observations,+ has enumerated 
the following substances, in addition to the quartzose minerals 
referred to, forming large veins and masses in the trap: “decom- 
posing feldspar,” “granular feldspar,” “crystals of glassy feld- 
spar,” and “laminated feldspar.”” As these substances are not 
very common in secondary or basaltic trap, I would suggest the 
possibility of the author’s having mistaken their true character, 
especially as he was obliged to pass rapidly from place to place, 
and does not appear to have collected specimens of them for sub- 
sequent examination. ‘T’o the unpractised eye, efflorescent zeo- 
lite might be readily mistaken for decomposed feldspar, and other 
species of zeolite or carbonate of lime, confounded with the other 
varieties of feldspar. We must think it possible, therefore, that 
if Major Mitchell had given the same attention to crystals, which 
he has bestowed upon plants, many interesting substances, over- 
looked or mistaken by him, would have been brought to light, 
and the mineralogical interest of his work greatly enhanced. It 
would appear, then, that none of the Kouphone-spars have been 
described by either of the writers whose observations have reach- 
ed us, and I am not aware that any of a more recent date have 
appeared. They are, I believe, the first and only collection of 
minerals which has been brought to this country from New Hol- 
land, and certainly their uncommon beauty, and the perfection 
of their crystalline forms demand for them some public record. 
Apophyllite. (Pyramidal Kouphone-spar, M.)}—There are pe- 
culiarities in the secondary modifications of the crystals of this 
mineral, as well as in the- general appearance of the specimens, 
which evidently indicate their having come from localities quite 
distinct. In one, Mésotype épointée of Haiiy, the primary square 
prism is in elongated crystals, replaced on all the solid-angles by 
triangular planes, and often so deeply as-entirely to obliterate the 
* See appendix to King’s narrative, drawn up by Dr. Fitton. Analogons speci- 
: also described in the journal of M. Péron, one of the naturalists to the 
French expedition to New Holland, at about the same period. 
-.t In two vols. 8vo. London, 1838. It is surprising that this work has not re- 
ctived i in this country more notice and commendation, It is certainly a most re- 
markable work, a of stirring incident. The author has penetrated into the 
interior of (New Holland, where he informs us he has found the craters of rec 
an orataas mountains of lava. 
