326 Mineralogy and Geology of a part of Nova Scotia. 



thomsonite agrees with that from Dumbarton in Scotland 

 in its chemical and physical characters. 



The mesotype is in masses of a finely radiated or plumose 

 structure, and when broken, presents in the less compact 

 parts, small intersecting fibres of a beautiful silky white ap- 

 pearance. Its texture, near the surface, is unusually com- 

 pact, breaking with a splintery fracture ; and some speci- 

 mens in this respect, as well as in point of color, resemble 

 the bones of fishes, for which they are sometimes mistaken 

 by the inhabitants, who plough them up from the soil of 

 their fields. We did not observe, in any of these specimens, 

 well marked appearances of crystallization. Attached to 

 the mesotype and thomsonite, are small masses of foliated 

 stilbite and crystals of analcime. Several veins of mag- 

 netic iron ore occur on this mountain, but they are worthless, 

 in a practical view, from their narrowness and inconsiderable 

 extent. 



The next place which will prove interesting to the min- 

 eralogist is Peter's Point. This name is given to a promon- 

 tory which projecting into the Bay of Fundy, forms a shel- 

 ter on the west to a small creek, into which a stream sufficient- 

 ly large to carry a saw-mill, called Stronoch's Brook, dis- 

 charges its waters. The geological features of this place 

 are similar to those at St. Croix Cove, excepting that the cylin- 

 drical cavities are here wanting, and the amygdaloid has 

 been washed away from under the superincumbent columnar 

 rock, which presents an overhanging precipice, threat- 

 ning to crush the traveller who may venture beneath its 

 frowning brink, from whose summit, large masses of rock 

 detached by the frosts are almost continually falling. 



Near this Point, under the protection of an arch of co- 

 lumnar trap, a deep cavity was discovered in the amygda- 

 loid, which, having a narrow aperture, expanded internally 

 to the diameter of six feet, in every direction. The mouth 

 of this little cavern being enlarged, so as to admit of exam- 

 ination, its walls were found to be thickly encrusted with 

 laumonite in a remarkably fine state of preservation. Spe- 

 cimens were easily detached by the hand, and were found 

 to consist of successive layers of radiating crystals, which, 

 in the centre of the mass, were of a fine flesh red color. 

 The external surface of this crust, and the interior of cav- 

 ities which frequently occur, were richly studded with trans- 

 parent and colorless crystals, of great perfection and beauty. 



