102 



Case 77. 



Native 

 Platinum. 



Sperrylite. 



PLATINUM.* 



The principal platinum, mining field is that in the Ural Moun- 

 tains (Russia). Here, as everywhere else, the platinum occurs 

 in alluvial wash, small specimens of which from the Demidoff 

 Estate are exhibited. 2280, alluAial wash. 2281, concentrates 

 from first washing. 2282, concentrates from second washing. 

 5691-2, crude platinum. 



The largest nugget yet found is in the collection of Prince 

 Demidoff. A. cast of it is exhibited here. 



In the nickel mines at Sudbury in Canada, and at one other 

 locality, has been found the only natural combination of plat- 

 inum with another element known to exist. This is the mineral 

 sperrylite, in which platinum is combined with arsenic, forming 

 tin-white crystals. Sperrylite is found in small quantities only 

 in an ochreous matrix. Specimens of both are exhibited. 



Case 77. MERCURY. 



Cinnabar. The collection of cinnabar ores here is very good; Spain, 



California, and Eussia, together with various Australasian 

 localities, being well represented. 



Spain. — 3215, from the well-knowu locality of Almaden, is the 

 only good specimen of crystallised cinnabar in the Museum. 

 6002 shows native quicksilver in minute globules on the cinnabar. 



California. — 8409 shows cinnabar crystals ;. 8410 native 

 mercury in abundance. 3861 appeals to the imagination, coming 

 as it does from the city of San Prancisco, which town is said to 

 be built over a deposit of cinnabar. 



New Caledonia. — Although no mining for mercury is as yet 

 carried on in the island, cinnabar has been found in several 

 localities — among others Nakety. Varieties of schist, ironstone, 

 and other rocks containing cinnabar, are exhibited. 7311, 

 believed to come from New Caledonia, shows cinnabar seated on 

 galena. 



New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Russia, British Columbia. 



* For remarks about platinum, and notes on New South Wales specimens, see page 21. 



