544 



JASPER. 



THE reasons for introducing this rock into 

 the arrangement, and for assigning it a place in 

 this division, have been already stated in preced- 

 ing remarks, and will be more apparent from the 

 following sketch of its geological characters. 



Our information respecting jasper is however 

 so imperfect, that this sketch is necessarily very 

 superficial, and, possibly, in some points, incor- 

 rect. The causes of this must be sought, partly 

 in the neglect which it has experienced from 

 geologists, partly in its comparative rarity, and, 

 still more, in the confusion which exists respect- 

 ing the limitation of the name. 



The term jasper, being antient, and of a 

 popular nature, has been applied to many rocks, 

 some of which evidently belong to other families. 

 The want of access to specimens, which, from 

 their variety or beauty, have been made objects 



