422 Scientific Intelligence. 
as is recommended by Berzelius for separating iron from oxyd of yttria. 
It differs from zirconium, in being soluble in nitric and muriatic acids, 
after ignition. From cerium, in not turning of a brick red after igni- 
tion: and in the color of its salts, which are not amethystine but shades 
of green and yellow, except the nitrate, which is almost colorless. The 
nitrate crystallizes in prisms which seem to be right rhombic. _ Its salt, 
like the corresponding ones of magnesia, seem to be deliquescent. 
The mineral, from which this earth was extracted differs from talc, 
in the absence of any foliated structure; in not exfoliating before the 
blowpipe ; in giving off water in the matrass, which talc does not, being 
quite- anhydrous, while this is a hydrated silicate. It contains 20 per 
cent. less silica than tale. 
_ Leaving out of account the earth in question, the chemical constitu- 
tion of this mineral comes nearest to saponite and soap stone. The 
the reduction of the small quantity of peroxyd of iron present. The 
green color of the mineral may probably be attributed to the presence 
of this peculiar earth which produces green salt 
* The mere trace of m present in the mineral will not account for the 
quantity of chlorine pralved: 
