328 Mineralogy of Orange County, JV. Y. 



lite, but it is easy to detect in it the peculiar crystallization of Horn- 

 blende, the form of the crystal being that of the Mount Eve variety 

 of the same mineral, except that the angles of the crystals are more 

 rounded. Its color is a botde-green, and it resembles in every re- 

 spect the same variety of Hornblende, from Pargas in Finland. The 

 Idocrase is for the most part massive ; the individuals presenting a 

 granular or columnar structure. Its color is a yellowish green. The 

 granular variety is undoubtedly the substance described and analyzed 

 by Dr. Thomson, under the new denomination of Xanthite, an ac- 

 count of which is contained in the Annals of the Lyceum of Natural 

 History of New York. Although, as respects its hardness, it does 

 not agree with that description, the words of which are, " easily 

 crushed to powder by the nail of the finger. It is therefore soft : it 

 does not scratch calcareous spar." It consisted of 



Silica, . - - - 32.708 



Lime, _ _ . - 36.308 



Alumine, - - - - 12.280 



Per ox. Iron, - - - - 12.000 



Protox. Manganese, - - — 3.680 



Water, - - - - .600 



97.576 

 Of late, some distinct, nearly transparent crystals, from one fourth 

 of an inch to more than one inch in length, have been found at this 

 spot, having their lateral and terminal edges truncated. Associated 

 with them, occur small grains of dark green Pargasite, and white, mas- 

 sive Scapolite. Just above this trench, a digging has been made, also, 

 from whence handsome crystals of Zircon have been obtained. It 

 likewise affords a reddish Garnet, Sphene and Phosphate of Lime. 

 But these last mentioned substances are not found plentifully, or in 

 valuable specimens with the exception of the Zircon, which, though 

 rare, is in large and highly colored crystals. 



The next place to be described is one which has afforded those 

 specimens o{ Black Spinel that have excited, by their extraordinary 

 dimensions and perfection of form, the astonishment of the whole 

 mineralogical world. It is situated in the road contiguous to the 

 farm of J. Layton, one mile southwest of Amity meeting house, and 

 is marked No. 2 upon our map. We owe its discovery to Dr. 

 Fowler, of Franklin, who observed, about nine years ago, the first 

 specimens lying loose in, or near, the cart-path. His observation led to 



