J. D. Whitney on Algerite and Apatite. 207 
from scapolite, and this naturally suggests some relation to this 
Species.” The results which | have obtained in my examination 
-of Algerite seem to sustain the opinion of Dana, and it appears 
highly probable that this is an altered mineral, and also, as sug- 
gested above by Dana, a scapolite of the Wernerite variety. 
On the first examination of this substance it seems evident that 
it is a mineral in the progress of decomposition. In some of the 
specimens the crystals have been wholly removed from the mat- 
rix, or only a trace of a brownish yellow powder left remaining. 
Their hardness varies from 2:5 or 3 to 3.5 or 4 
A comparison, of the results of the analyses of Messrs. Hunt 
and Crossley will show that the discordances are too great to be 
explained on the ground of errors of analysis. My own analysis 
differs still more from theirs, than they do from each other, and 
though time and material were wanting to enable me to make as 
accurate a determination of some of the ingredients as I could 
have wished, yet it seems, at least, sufficient to settle the ques- 
tion of the claim of this substance to rauk as a distinct species. 
_ In noticing Hunt’s analysis it will be seen at once that the ra- 
tio of the oxygen of the silica and bases caunot be expressed by 
any approximate simple numbers; so, also, in Mr. Crossley’s, the 
latio of the oxygen of 4i, #, R &H is given as 7:3: 1:1; while 
itis really 7-05 : 3-22 : 1:22: 1. : 
For convenience of comparison, the results of these two anal- 
yses are here given, side by side: 
Hunt. Crossley. 
Plies iis 5 ioych evkeme 2) MOOR ce 2051-4006 
Mehing, Gc 8- Oe REDE ee REM 
Peroxyd of iron, - 1°85 - 1-48 
Megicnit ia) i 5 40) eB eee BAB 
Potash and traces of soda, 1021 potash, 9°97 
Carbonate of lime, - 3:94 - 4-21 
Wate, = - BY cas: aOR 
99:45 100-27 
The results of my examinations are as follows ried ; 
Before the blowpipe it blackens a little and soon fuses, intu- 
mescing considerably, giving a colorless glass, and glowing with 
4 Vivid light. ) 
A small quantity of the mineral, selected with care as being 
he least altered in character, was ignited in small fragments, and 
st 6°20 per cent. of water; another portion, which had the ap- 
Pearance of being more decomposed, lost, under the same treat- 
ment 668 per cent. The pulverized mineral was found to be 
Mody t i ications were made two years since, and 
tat the Publiention of| Riel Mies hot dela fod in the hope of an opportunity to 
farther examinations. 
* 
