118 Chemical Examination of Algerite. 
bles that of the birds; by the mixture of the bloods in the 
vessels it resembles the heart of the foetal mammalia. Prof. 
Meyer compares the left aorta to the ductus arteriosus; he 
believes this structure temporary; as in mammal foetal hearts, 
closing in adult life. Cuvier says he found this opening large 
in a young Crocodilus lucius, and very small in an older speci- 
men, (probably of another species) he also compares it to 
the ductus arteriosus, and says it probably closes as age ad- 
vances. Our specimen was old enough to be impregnated ; 
and the edges of the opening were well defined and firm, like 
those of a persistent foramen; it had not at all the appear- 
ance of an opening that had ever been larger, or one that was 
gradually growing smaller. Besides there are physiological 
reasons why it should remain permanent in this animal. 
Art. IX. — Chemical Examination of Algerite, a new mine- 
ral species ; by T. S. Hunt, of the Geological Commission 
of Canada: including a description of the Mineral, by 
F. ArcrEn. 
Tue mineral here described was placed in my hands by - 
- Mr. Alger, more than a year since, with the following de- 
scription : :— 
“ It is found in the town of Franklin, Sussex county, New 
Jersey. The crystals are imbedded in a white crystalline 
limestone, and are without any accompanying minerals ex- 
cepting a few disseminated scales of graphite. They are 
occasionally two inches in length and rarely three, and are 
never more than one-eighth of an inch in thickness. Like 
Sillimanite and scapolite they are frequently curved. They 
occur as single individuals and never in groups or radiating 
masses. When taken from near the surface, the color isa 
