The remaining fluid crysta 
100 Pes of. the LUE as con 
M 
*100,0 
‘if emicd composition alongwere to guide us in the 
classification of minerals, in this instance more particularly; 
we might conclude this substance to be essentially similar 
to the serpentine in which it occurs ; but as this mineral 
has not as yet presented us with any thing like ery staliza- 
tion, I consider myself-as rather justified in considering it a 
distinct mineral, and more particularly, as it might on equal 
grounds be referred to tale or steatite, from all which its 
external characters sufficiently remove it. From steatite, 
which does not essentially differ from tale, it is sufficiently 
distinguished by the peculiar association and form of its la- 
mina, their opacity, brittleness, and infusibility. Its spe- 
cific gravity, inferior hardness, and chemical composition 
equally remove it from Diallage, with which, however, it is 
more nearly associated by external characters, not knowing 
therefore where to refer it by comparison with other known 
minerals, | conceive myself justified in proposing it under 
a new denomination. By Cleaveland it appears to have 
been considered as similar to the indurated tale, to which, 
however, it bears no genuine affinity, the latter being rather 
a variety of asbestus. 
From the remarkable pee deen ee of magnesia in all 
the minerals which compose the hills of Hoboken, an their 
easy decomposition by sulphuric acid into an Epsom salt, 
uncontaminated by any alum, and only a very minute and 
almost accidental portion of lime, itis evident that a profita- 
ble and extensive manufactory of this salt, now so much used 
* The Baltimore mineral covtains enly 30 per cent. silex, and notrace 
of lime. 
