28 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



fied by one or more scalenohedrons. A more detailed description 

 of these interesting crystals is reserved for a later paper. It suffices, 

 however, to mention here that they present an interesting study both 

 of crystal form and twinning habit. 



Many of the crystals which were found lying loose on the floor 

 of the innermost portion of the cavern, were completely developed 

 on all sides, showing no point of attachment. This fact which is 

 sufficiently remarkable in crystals of this size may lead to some 

 interesting speculations as to the manner of their production and 

 the character of the crystallizing solutioii. Many of the largest 

 crystals obtained from the outer cave were attached to the wall by 

 a relatively small portion of their total surface so that it was pos- 

 sible to detach them by very little effort. 



One of the most striking characters of these crystals is a delicate 

 amethystine to pink color shown on a large majority of the speci- 

 mens and which renders them singularly beautiful. The color 

 appears to be irregularly distributed throughout the mass and shows 

 deeper in the outer portions of the crystals. A tendency toward 

 the concentration of color parallel to definite planes, notably the 

 planes of cleavage is evident. Calcite crystals similar in color 

 have recently been found in the Maybell mine at North Empire, Kan., 

 and have been described by Sterrett,^ who notes a similar lack of 

 uniformity in the distribution of color. A dendritic deposit of 

 pyrolusite observed on the termination of some of the small crystals 

 from the outer cave indicates the derivation of the color from a 

 minute percentage of manganese.. 



Secondar}^ aragonite occurs as an incrustation of minute acicular 

 crystals on some of the calcite representing an early generation. 

 Some quartz was noted associated with the calcite of this stage. 

 Although considerable stalactitic calcite was observed coating the 

 surface of the large crystals, very little evidence of true stalactitic 

 formation was to be found on the roof, walls and floor of the 

 cavern. One slender stalactite which measured 12.8 cm in length 

 and .5 cm in diameter was hollow for about one third of its length 

 and was lined with crystallized calcite. This, together with the 

 remarkable size of the calcite crystallization, points to a condition 

 of extremely slow deposition of lime carbonate from a solution which 

 must have remained undisturbed during the entire process of crystal 

 deposition. 



^Sterrett, D. B. A Xew T\-pe of Calcite from the Joplin Mining District. 

 Am. Jour. Sci. 1904. 18:73. 



