APPENDIX. 681 



to exist in various parts of the world, issuing from then active volcanoes 

 and flowing over the calcareous reefs and bed of the sea." 



The same able chemist, in 1861 (Silliman's Journal and Edin. New Phil. 

 Journal), described a second boracic acid mineral, which he has named 

 Cryplomorphite. It is, like the former, a borate of lime and soda, and its 

 probable formula is stated to be : — 



Na 0, 3 Ca 0, 9 BO3 + 12 110. 



Still more recently Professor How has kindly communicated to me a 

 notice, shortly to be published, of a third mineral, found under similar con- 

 ditions at Brookville and Newport, near Windsor, and which he proposes to 

 name Sillco-horo-calcite. It contains a large proportion of silica, and its 

 formula is given as — 



2 Ca Si O2 + 2 (Ca 2 BO3, HO) + BO3, 3 HO. 



These minerals occur in small nodular masses in the gypsum and anhydrite, 

 and are associated with glauber salt, and they have now been found by 

 Professor How in scTcral localities, and in some of those in considerable 

 abundance. The natro-boro-calcite is said to occur in the ordinary gypsum 

 only, while the silico-boro-calcite is found in anhydrite as well. 



Professor How has also detected both the carbonate and sulphate of 

 magnesia in the gypsum and associated rocks, though apparently not in 

 large quantity. 



Professor How hasalso recognised the mineral Pickeringite or magnesia-alum 

 occurring as an efflorescence on the surface of slate at Newport. It is curious 

 that this mineral, like natro-boro-calcite, had previously been found only at 

 Iquique in Peru. It is also curious that it Avas found to be associated with 

 small quantities of nickel and cobalt. The former metal had not previously 

 been found in Nova Scotia, though not infrequent in the Lower Silurian, 

 Huronian, and Laurentian, of Canada. 



Professor 0. C. Marsh, of Yale College, has communicated to Silliman's 

 Journal (Nov. 1867) a notice of tlie mineral Ledererite, found by Jackson 

 and Alger at Cape Blomidon. Professor Marsh regards this mineral as 

 identical with Gmelinite, and attributes its peculiarities to the accidental 

 presence of phosphoric acid and of minute crystals of quartz embedded in tlie 

 specimens. 



(G.) Mining Laws anu Regulations. 



In Nova Scotia the mines and minerals are under the general supervision 

 of the Commissioner of Mines, from whom all necessary information and 

 guidance can be obtained ; and tlie laws relating to mines and minerals are 

 of such a character as to aftbrd all tlie encouragement that can be desired 

 to legitimate enterprise. 



In the case of Gold, " prospecting licences" are issued for periods of three 

 months, and for areas not to exceed 100 acres. The fee is 50 cents per 

 acre uj) to 10 acres, and beyond tliis 25 cents. Such licences may be 

 renewed at half the above rates. On discoveries being made, the discoverer 



