Miscellaneous Localities of Minerals. 55 



JVetf Localities of Tourmalines and Talc. — Extract from a 

 letter to the Editor. 



The tourmalines are from Paxton, Mass. where they oc- 

 cur in a granitic rock, particularly amongst the quartz, and 

 are so thickly imbedded in it, as to alter considerably the 

 appearance of the rock. They are regularly formed dou- 

 ble acuminated crystals, of a jet black colour. The lar- 

 gest perfect ones that were brought, are about three fourths 

 of an inch in length ; from this they are of all sizes down- 

 wards to that of nearly the smallest grain, but still are regu- 

 larwell defined crystals, as may be easily ascertained by the 

 aid of a magnifying glass. 



The talc differs from any that I have ever heard mentioned 

 or seen described. This singular variety is from near Worces- 

 ter, Mass. The mass has a brownish cast and is composed of 

 two parts. The one is compact, of a dirty white and yellow- 

 ish colour, constituting the base ; the other is in thin plates 

 of a yellowish and blackish cast, and resembles mica very 

 much in appearance. It exhales an argillaceous odour up- 

 on being moistened. When pulverized it seems to consist of 

 a yellowish powder interspersed with small shining laminae. 

 If subjected to the flame of a blowpipe, or that of a common 

 lamp, it expands and shoots out into a variety of fanciful 

 forms, resembling most generally small worms having the 

 vermicular motion exact. It sometimes expands with such 

 force as to be thrown some distance. These vermiform 

 remnants are composed of small irregular scales, loosely 

 adhering to each other, having a silvery white appearance 

 and metallic lustre. 



If this proves to be a new variety, would it not be better 

 in giving it a distinctive appellation to select one that will 

 indicate the peculiar property it possesses, than to make 

 use of an arbitrary name. I term it Vermiculite (worm bree- 

 der) from Vermiculor, to breed or produce worms. 



THOMAS H. WEBB." 



