326 THE RASHLEIGH COLLECTION OF MINERALS. 



in numerous forms and colours, several large specimens illustrat- 

 ing parallel twinning ; Fluorspar in large cubes of white, green, 

 purple, amethyst, and other colours ; an extensive series of 

 Quartz and its varieties, many of the large crystals having double 

 terminations ; Asbestos in many interesting forms ; Beryl, Topaz, 

 Garnet, Euby, Opal, and other gems ; line polished slabs of 

 Labradorite, Amazonite, Lapis Lazuli, Fluorspar and other 

 ornamental stones. 



The late Mr. William Eashleigh removed a number of 

 duplicate specimens from the collection some years ago, present- 

 ing them to his son Mr. Jonathan Eashleigh. These are now in 

 London. The precious stones have also been removed. 



There are eight separate cabinets and about thirty feet of 

 wall cases with drawers underneath. They are in good condition 

 some being of mahogany and the others of oak. 



I felt that if the collection was lost to Cornwall it could 

 never be replaced, as the mines from which the Cornish specimens 

 had come were abandoned long ago. Having considered the 

 matter carefully and with the promises of help I undertook to 

 accej^t the offer, advancing the £1,200. I paid the amount to 

 Mr. Jonathan Eashleigh and obtained his receipt for the same 

 which I have handed to our Secretary. 



At a meeting held on the 9th December the Council granted 

 the sum of £500 from the Institution funds towards the purchase, 

 thus reducing my advance to £700. 



On November 28th, I starLed to pack the minerals for 

 removal to Truro. Mr. Penrose went up with me to arrange 

 about the more delicate specimens. AVith the exception of his 

 assistance for two days I packed the whole of them single- 

 handed. The first load was conveyed to Truro by Messrs. Criddle 

 and Smith on December 24th. I was present when the van 

 reached Truro, and found everj^thing in good order. Some of 

 the boxes were unpacked on December 27th, and all the speci- 

 mens were found to be undamaged, even those about which I 

 doubted, when packing, whether they would ever be seen again 

 in even fair condition. 



Three vans were afterwards necessary to convey the remaining 

 portion and the cabinets to Truro, the last reaching there on 



