Cox. — On the Mineralogy of New Zealand. 



445 



Peacock Cojyper, which is only a variegated variety of Copper Pyrites, 

 often occurs with that mineral. 



Malachite, Cu^O + H. — Green carbonate of copper occurs as thin encrust- 

 ing films on some of our copper ores, and also in the cupriferous schists of 

 Moke Creek. It never, however, is found in a crystallized form, nor in 

 sufficient quantities to be of any -value. 



Azurite, Cu^C^+H. — Bhve carbonate of coppier occurs even less plentifully 

 than MaLachite, but under similar conditions as a thin encrustation on 

 some of the Nelson and Great Barrier ores. 



JDioptase, Cu Si, occurs as an encrustation on the Nelson copper ores, 

 and also at the Wonder Claim, Thames (Skey, Geol. Eep., 1870-71, p. 85). 



Chrysocolla, Cu Si+2H. — Is very com.mon encrusting the copper ores of 

 the Serpentine Belt in Nelson, where they have been exposed to the action 

 of the atmosphere, and is far more commonly met with than either the 

 green or blue carbonates. 



Tetrahedrite (var. Richmondite), E', -g,"'. — This ore has been obtained 

 from a lode at Eichmond Hill, Collingwood, and has yielded from some 

 specimens as much as 1,792 ozs. of silver per ton of ore. 



A complete analysis 



of this mineral i 



s as follows : 





Sulphide 



of Lead 





36-12 



1! 



Antimony 





22-20 



,, 



Bismuth . . 





traces 



)) 



Copper 





19-31 



)> 



Iron 





13-59 



,, 



Zinc 





5-87 



„ 



Silver 





2-39 



)» 



Manganese 







•52 



100-00 

 Its mineralogical characters have been described by Mr. Skey (12th 

 Lab. Eept., p. 31). It is massive, nearly homogeneous ; cleavage irregular; 

 brittle, structure confusedly crystalline ; colom* black generally, but in 

 parts reddish; streak dark slate-colour; hardness about 4*5. Specific 

 gravity 4'317. At a low heat (a little under redness) it fuses readily, and 

 in parts intumesces considerably. The analysis gives the formula Sbg S3 

 -f6 (Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Ag, S) according to Mr. Skey. This forms a valuable 

 ore of silver, in addition to the copper which it contains. 

 Metallic Minerals. — Class IV. 

 Noble metals, reducible by heat alone. 

 Gold. 

 This precious metal is widely distributed in New Zealand, and since 

 1857 no less than 9,659,266 ozs., having a value of ^637,810,653, has been 

 exported from the colony. Native gold occurs both in reefs, of which there are 



