1867.] Mining. 275 



rocks. All the analyses show a notable proportion of potash, and 

 the author refers to the benefits which plants must derive from 

 growing upon soils resting on rocks rich in glauconite. 



As the effect of heat on minerals is always a subject of much 

 interest to the geologist, we call attention to Dr. Eisner's researches 

 " On the Behaviour of certain Minerals and Eocks at a very high 

 Temperature" (Ueber das Yerhaltung einiger Mineralien und 

 Gebirgsarten bei sehr holier Temperatur).* The investigations 

 were conducted in the furnaces of the Boyal Berlin Porcelain 

 Manufactory, at temperatures between 2,500° and 3,000° Centi- 

 grade. 



In the Chronicles of last quarter we described what was called 

 the " Colorado Meteorite." Another mass has since been discovered 

 in the same territory, and it is therefore proposed to name each 

 after its special locality, distinguishing the older meteorite as the 

 " Eussel Gulch " iron, and the recently discovered one as the " Bear 

 Creek " iron. The latter consists of nickeliferous iron, associated 

 with magnetic pyrites, schreibersite, and other meteoric minerals. 

 The following is Professor J. Lawrence Smith's analysis of the 

 iron : — f 



Iron 83*89 



Nickel 14-06 



Cobalt 0-83 



Copper Minute quantity. 



Phosphorus 0-21 



98-99 



In the same Journal Professor C. U. Shepard proposes a new 

 classification of meteorites. 



Those who are acquainted with Dr. Yiktor von Lang's high 

 position as a crystallographer and physical optician, will welcome 

 the appearance of his recently -published ' Treatise on Crystallo- 

 graphy.' % To most of our English readers Dr. Lang will pro- 

 bably be well known, from his former connection with the British 

 Museum, and from the Memoirs which he published in conjunction 

 with Professor Maskelyne. He resigned his appointment in this 

 country for a professorship in the University of Gratz, and he at 

 present occupies a chair in the University of Vienna. The work 

 before us is a comprehensive treatise based on Professor Miller's 

 system of crystallography ; but, being entirely free from the popular 

 element, it will probably be read with profit only by the advanced 

 student. 



In the district of Beechwood, Sebastopol Creek, in Australia, a 

 new diamond has been found, weighing a carat and one-eighth. It 



* ■ Journ. fur praktische Chemie,' 1866, No. 21, p. 262. 

 t ' Silliman's American Journal of Science and Arts,' Jan., 1867, p. 66. 

 % 'Lehrbuch der Krystallographie,' von Viktor von Lang. 8vo. Wien, 1866, 

 pp. 358. 



T2 



