Miscellaneous Notices of Mineral Localities, $c. 229 



The locality of topaz and chlorophane is three and a half 

 miles south west of this mine. We did not visit it, for want 

 of time. But Mr. Lane informed us, that both the minerals 

 form a vein in limestone ; one side of which vein, is chloro- 

 phane, and the other quartz containing topaz. The crys- 

 tals of this latter mineral appear to be abundant, and some 

 of them very fine ; but in general, their great size seems to 

 be at the expense of their delicacy. It occurs in foliated 

 masses, as well as distinct crystals, whose lustre is about 

 the same as that of feldspar, and as plates of mica are mix- 

 ed with it, it might easily be mistaken for granite, had it 

 not so great a specific gravity. I obtained a mass of this 

 variety of the mineral of Mr. Lane, which was almost 

 entirely topaz, and which weighted twenty six pounds ! 

 And yet, originally this was twice as large, and the whole 

 was blasted from the vein, where, for aught I know, may be 

 tons of it. 



I have said that the topaz locality was three and a half 

 miles from the mine ; but I have found this mineral at the 

 mine. The specimens were connected with the Wolfram, and 

 were very decided in their characters. I regard this discov- 

 ery as interesting, because it shows that topaz is dissemina. 

 ted in this region, more widely than had been supposed. 



Carbonate of iron and delicate fibrous hornblende, as 

 well as a remarkable variety in crystals, resembling hypers- 

 thene ; also smoky and yellow quartz, and green feldspar, 

 are found at Lane's mine. In another part of the town is 

 found brown spar, associated with tripoli ; I believe these 

 minerals have not been noticed before. 



I forget whether the fine crystals of black schorl, in the 

 northwest part of this town, have been noticed among for- 

 mer localities. They are the best I have seen in this coun- 

 try. Often they are an inch or more in diameter, with per- 

 fect terminations, and the edges of the terminating faces 

 beautifully truncated. Mr. Lane keeps duplicates of these, 

 as well as all the other minerals of the place, on hand, for 

 the accomodation of mineralogists. We obtained of him 

 three or four hundred specimens, at a very reasonable rate. 

 He is very zealous in exploring his mines, and possesses a 

 very good tact at discriminating minerals. 



Gypsum of Nova Scotia. 



I recently examined a quantity of this rock brought from 

 Nova Scotia, and there happened to be mixed with it several 



