Miscellanies. 213 



friend, M. Damour, a description of a mineral found in the ancient 

 lavas of Vesuvius, of a vitreous appearance, obscure green color, and 

 confused crystallization, imbedded in a calcareous gangue like the geh- 

 lenite of Fassa. It cleaves readily in three directions parallel to the 

 faces of a cube, whence it derives its name, Periclase. It crystallizes 

 in regular octahedrons, is infusible before the blowpipe. The powder 

 is entirely soluble in acids. Hardness equal to feldspar. Specific 

 gravity 3*75. It is. composed of magnesia and a little oxide of iron. 

 Its composition in 100 parts, is 



First analysis. Second analysis. 



Magnesia, 92-57 91-18 



Oxide of iron, 6-91 6-30 



Insoluble matter, '86 2-10 



100-34 99-58 



Ann. des Mines, 4th Series, Vol. Ill, p. 369. 



9. Coast Survey. — The death in November last of Mr. Hassler, 

 the venerable and learned originator and conductor of the coast sur- 

 vey of the United States, left a vacant post, which has been filled to 

 the universal satisfaction of the science of the country, by the ap- 

 pointment of Professor Alexander D. Bache as the successor of Mr. 

 Hassler. No man in America could be found better qualified to carry 

 through this great enterprise, combining as he does in an eminent de- 

 gree the necessary scientific qualifications with great practical wisdom 

 in the management of affairs and men, and possessing the unbounded 

 confidence of all. It cannot be otherwise than gratifying to Prof. 

 Bache, that he has been called to this post, as it were by the unanimous 

 suffrages of his peers ; for the entire body of science and learning in 

 the country petitioned government for his appointment. 



We understand that there is an intention of dividing the duties for- 

 merly performed by Mr. Hassler, and setting off the weights and meas- 

 ures in a separate department, over which is to be placed a gentleman 

 eminently qualified to complete this subject, already in an advanced 

 state. 



10. Canal around the Sault St. Marie to connect Lake Superior 

 with Lake Huron. — We observe that this important subject is agitated 

 in Detroit, and that application is about being made to Congress for aid 

 in effecting the work. The fall is twenty two feet, the length of the 

 canal one mile, the estimated expense one hundred thousand dollars. 

 An immense mining country, including the copper region, from which 

 the great mass of native copper came, and which has now gone to 

 Washington, lies around this vast fresh-water sea, whose length is be- 



