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32 = E. G. Smith—Chrysotile from Shipton, Canada. 
Art. VIIL— af a oe from i as Canada ; by 
tus G. Smiru, P 
ERE has recently come into my possession, through the 
Sass of Mr. W. H. Jeffreys of Richmond, several specimens 
f the fibrous variety of serpentine or chrysotile from the 
above named locality. So well characterized were the speci- 
mens, and diligent search failing to discover any analyses or 
description of the properties of ‘the mineral from this locality, 
an examination was instituted with results appended below. 
Serpentine is commonly met with through many portions of 
the Province of Quebec, occurring either as large deposits of the 
comparatively pure mineral or more generally mixed with 
other minerals, notably calcite and chromite. Chromite espe- 
-cially appears to be almost always present in the serpentine of 
the Silurian rocks. 
The fibrous variety of serpentine or chrysotile generally 
‘spoken of as ‘“‘asbestus,” appears to be distributed also in 
almost unlimited quantities through many of the southeastern 
townships, notably at Thetford and Coleraine, (See Report of 
‘Geological Survey of Canada, 1881-82, G.G., pp. 6-8). 
e chrysotile from Shipton seems to be of much the 
same character both in appearance and mode of occurrence. It 
occurs in narrow veins of fromm one to four inches in width | 
- traversing the solid serpentine. These veins possess little or no 
regularity, often abruptly terminating. The fibers run trans- 
versely, improving in quality as the mineral recedes from the 
surface of the ground. In appearance the chrysotile has a fine 
silky luster, varying in color from a deep green to a pale yel- 
low. The fibers can be easily separated from each other, form- 
ing a soft voluminous wool-like mass. Before the blow-pipe it 
is fusible only with the very finest fibers. It yields water 
readily on ignition, being at first blackened and finally assum- 
ing a dull brown color. The ignited mass loses its fibrous 
character and crumbles easily  haheath the fingers. The 
reaction for iron is always marked and with some specimens that 
for chromium also, though as will be noticed, the particular 
specimens ana yzed gave no chromium reaction. This varia- 
ble reaction is accounted for by the fugitive presence of 
chromite in the vicinity, which as already noted, so often 
accompanies the Canada serpentines 
wo specimens were selected for analysis : I. Dark green, Sp. 
gr. 2°142 (temp. 16° C.). II Pale yellow, sp. gr. 2:286 
(temp. 16° C.). 
