1850.] Examination of the New Mineral Haugktonite. 453 



3. 43 ; but it is apparently cellular, and if allowed to imbibe water for 

 a few days might give a higher one.* 



Blowpipe Examination. 

 In the forceps it blackens, softens and sometimes exfoliates a little, 



or a piece flies off. The most remarkable characters are the blackening 

 and softening, by which last the points of the forceps are deeply 

 impressed into the assay. 



The blackened assay affords no trace of a sulphuret, and in the 

 reducing flame the blackness soon goes off, leaving the whole mineral 

 of a dirty greyish-white. It just fuses on the edges only, to a white 

 enamel, like common heavy spar. 



With Carbonate of Soda on charcoal, the usual brown sulphuretted 

 bead of the sulphates, with their smell, &c. is immediately obtained. 



With Borax a clear glass. 



Via Humida. 



Digested with Nitric Acid it effervesces slowly, and the filtered solu- 

 tion, when tested, gives the usual re-actions of lead, with a little iron ; 

 the lead perfectly well marked by Chromate and Hydriodate of Potash 

 as also by sulphuretted Hydrogen. The greater part of the assay 

 however remains upon the filter, and this, when fused with the Carbo- 

 nates of Soda and Potash, gives Sulphuric Acid and Carbonate of 

 Barytes. 



By the only analysis for which I could afford an assay from so small 

 and precious a specimen, I find it to contain per Cent. 



Sulphate of Barytes, 83.52 



Carbonate of Lead, 6.23 



Oxide of Iron, .75 



Water, Organic matterf and loss, 9.50 



100.00 



* Which I would not risk lest it should fall to pieces, which its earthy chalk- 

 like texture renders probable. 



f As inferred from the blackening and smell, but this is by no means certain, as 

 we have minerals in which blackening takes place from the mere separation of water 

 or even without it ; but the high per centage of the water, after the usual drying for 

 mere Hygrometric water, would induce the belief that something more existed. 



N 3 



