Cox.—On the Mineralogy of New Zealand. 437 
Hematite—Specular Iron, Eo.—This mineral, which is the peroxide of 
iron, occurs associated with the same rocks (chlorite schists) as deposits of 
anhydrous hematite, which are of considerable value. This ore occurs as 
lenticular masses, which form a central band, extending from the upper 
part of Moke Creek, near the Wakatipu Lake, through Benmore and thence 
in the direction of Mount Gilbert. They are not, however, confined to this 
line, but occur throughout this schistose formation in the Wakitipu district, 
and appear to have their greatest development between Skippers and Moon- 
light Creeks. A six feet vein in mica schist occurs at Maori Point on the 
Shotover. 
This mineral also occurs as small single crystals (generally rhombo- 
hedral) dispersed through a hard quartzose schist in the same district. 
It is from the above deposits that the large boulders and minute grains 
of iron-black hematite are derived which are so generally associated with 
the auriferous deposits of our southern goldfields, and which are called by 
the diggers ‘Black Maori,” by whom they are looked upon as an indication 
of gold, in consequence of their higli specific gravity. 
Analyses of several specimens of anhydrous hematite from Dunstan, 
Otago; Maramarua, Auckland; Otamataura Creek, Collingwood; and Wan- 
garoa, Auckland, have been made at the Colonial Laboratory, and show 
that they contain from 61 per cent. to 68 per cent. of iron. The detailed 
results will be found in the Colonial Museum and Laboratory reports, or in 
the Manual of the Mineral Resources of New Zealand, in course of publica- 
tion. 
Limonite—H ydrous Hematite, 2 ¥e+8 H.—This mineral occurs through- 
out New Zealand, not, however, in most cases in sufficient quantities to be 
of any value. At two localities, both near Collingwood, large and valuable 
deposits are found under very different conditions. The best known of these 
deposits is that situated on the south-east side of the Parapara River, and 
about a mile from its mouth. The ore occurs in massive, earthy, botryoidal, 
mammillary, and coneretionary forms. Its colour is various shades of 
brown, commonly dark and none bright; when earthy it is a brownish- 
yellow or ochre-yellow. When concretionary in character the ore forms 
hollow spherical masses commonly known as pot or bombshell ore. It 
occurs as a vein associated with crystalline metamorphic limestones which 
occupy a considerable area of country, and in the vicinity of the mouth of 
von pvritec of 1. 
£Jt+4ue5 
