9 2 



[Proc. B.N.F.C., 



several of his specimens a characteristic development of the 

 mineral. It generally occurs on fossil Sponges, Corals, and Shells, 

 mainly from the Cretaceous rocks. Seemingly it is most prevalent 

 on specimens that have at one time been subjected to weathering 

 influences, at least the rocks and fossils on which it occurs have a 

 weathered appearance, but this may be due in part at least to the 

 nature of the mineral itself and the conditions of its formation. In 

 chemical constitution it is a form of Chalcedony, and is built up 

 into whorls composed of annular rings. The attention of geologists 

 was first drawn to this mineral early in the last century by the Rev. 

 Dr. Beeke, Dean of Bristol. His friends therefore named the new 

 substance in his honour. Dean Beeke died at Torquay in 1837, 

 and it is to the well-known Torquay geologist, the late William 

 Pengelly, that we are indebted for our knowledge of the occurrence 

 and distribution of Beekite in the Torquay district. Pengelly, as 

 far back as 1856, read a paper on "Beekites " before the meeting 

 of the British Association at Cheltenham. Of its purely mineral 

 character there is now no doubt. It is merely a curious deposit 

 of Chalcedonic silica. Its occurrence was most notable in the 

 limestone fragments in the lower New Red Sandstone of Devon- 

 shire. Our local Cretaceous deposits have now, however, been 

 proved to yield it. Collin Glen, south-west of Belfast ; White- 

 rock ; on the slopes of Black Mountain ; and jHillsport, Island- 

 magee, have all yielded excellent specimens of the mineral from 

 both the Greensand and Chalk rocks. Mr. Bell concluded by 

 exhibiting several specimens of the mineral collected locally, and 

 also some obtained from the South of England. 

 Mr. James Strachan next read his paper on 



"the origin and formation of zeolitks in basalt." 



The introductory portion of this paper dealt with the 

 description and mode of occurrence of Zeolites in basic eruptive 

 rocks, such as Dolerite and Basalt. Six of the more common Co. 

 Antrim Zeolites, viz: — Apophyllite, Natrolite, Analcime, Chabazite, 



