36 G. E. Moore—Amorphous Mercurie Sulphide. : 
is to be hoped that others may contribute to the investigation — 
of this subject. | 
The samples for analysis were furnished through the kindness — 
of Dr. C. A. White of Iowa City, late Director of the Iowa 
Geological Survey. 
Genesee Agricultural School, Lima, N. Y., Oct. 31st, 1871. 
Art. VIIL—On the Occurrence in nature of Amorphous Mercurie 
Sulphide ;* by Dr. GipEon E. Moore. 
it might possibly, on investigation, turn out to be an isomor- 
phous mixture of mercuric sulphide and selenide, analogous to 
the Onofrite of Haidinger. 
I undertook the investigation, in conjunction with other items — 
of analytical work, for the California Geological Survey. ; 
however, the issue of the reports of this institution has been 
temporarily delayed, and as the results of the investigation — 
ave proven to be not without interest, I have decided, with - 
steer Whitney’s kind permission, to make them at once 
public. | 
The mineral occurs lining fissures and cavities in a peculiar 
siliceous veinstone, and is associated with crystallized and mas- 
sive iron and copper pyrites, and very small brilliant ruby-red 
erystals of cinnabar. | 
The latter, which are of prismatic habitus, show the com- 
reflections. The measurements therefore, which could 1. 
Found. Calenlated. 
FAY 186°12 120° 
IA 4 187° 49’ 136° 36’. 
_ In most of the specimens the minerals were arranged in the 
following order, | 
First, a layer of pyrites of moderate thickness, lining the 
walls of the cavity, then a proportionately thick layer of the 
* From the Journal fiir prakt. Chemie, neue Folge. ) 
My ee eee 
