Miscellaneous JVotices in Mineralogy^ Geology, ^c. 229 



will accompany this letter. The four sided and terminat- 

 ed crystals* were furnished me by a ramble in Buncomb, 

 N. C they scratch quartz, with difficulty. The onyx-like 

 striped specimen was found near the same place, by Col. 

 Blanding or Mr. Poinsett, probably the latter. 



2. Confirmation of the genuineness of the locality of Ameri- 

 can Corundum, mentioned p. 7 of this Volume. Extract 

 of a letter from Mr. John Dickson to the Editor, dated 

 Charleston, March 9, 1821. 



As to the locality of the Corundum I thought it had been 

 noted. I think it was Laurens District ; at all events it was 

 picked up by my own hands, if not in situ, in a place to 

 which no geological or mineralogical specimens had ever 

 been carried, and which it could have reached only by one 

 of the usual and natural accidents which displace minerals 

 of all kinds, and leave them at greater or less distances 

 from their beds. I am sure it is American and Carolinian. 



I hope to revisit the upper country in three or four 

 weeks, and shall pay particular attention to this point, and I 

 am in hopes of obtaining other specimens equally well 

 marked. I shall be able then perhaps to correct any mis- 

 takes I have made on former occasions. My brother. Dr. 

 S. H. Dickson, will accompany me on this tour, and we 



* Crystals of Zircon. — The crystals alluded to here are parallelepipeds, with 

 rectangular bases — a four sided pyramid is set upon the prism, sometimes at 

 both ends, and in such a manner, that the angles of the base of the pyramid 

 correspond with those of the prism — the crystals are very smooth, of a light, 

 almost drab brown colour, and they have a somewhat varnished appearance, 

 a little resembling the vesuvian. The edges, sides and solid angles have great 

 neatness and finish. They scratch quartz, carnelian, and other siliceous 

 stones, and even slightly impress beryl. The specific gravity is 4. — they are 

 completely infusible by the common blow-pipe, but before the flame of Hare's 

 compound blow-pipe melt into a white enamel. 



All these characters induced us from the first, to think the crystals found 

 by Dr. Porter, to be zircon, and in this opinion we are supported by Prof. 

 Cleaveland, to whom we have since transmitted a specimen. It will be ob- 

 served that the specific gravity is somewhat less than that commonly attrib- 

 uted to zircon, and the angle formed between the planes of the prism 

 and the corresponding ones of the pyramid, differs a little from those laid 

 down in the books. The crystals are from one fourth to three fourths of an 

 inch long, and from two eighths to three eights of an inch in diametei 

 This interesting lecality pboiild receive farther attention. — [Editor^ 



