780 General Notes. (July, 
Fused with salt of phosphorus and borax it gives a remarka- 
ble rose-colored bead in both flames. It is soluble in acid. The 
following mean composition was obtained : 
P,O, (Y,0,,Er,O;) (La,0,,Di,0,) Fe,O, H,O, H,O CO, 
(combined) (lost at 100°) 
24.94 8.51 55-17 .25 5.88 1.49 3:59 = 99.83. 
Regarding the CO, as unessential and due to an admixture of 
lanthanite, the composition of the remaining mineral is calculated 
as follows: 
P,O; (Y,Er,),0, (La, Di); O, Fe,0, H,0 
30 12 10.28 55-73 .30 3-57 == 100 
The mineral is therefore a hydrous phosphate of the cerium and 
yttrium metals and is a new species. The mineral churchite ap- 
proaches it most nearly in composition. The name Scovillite 1s 
proposed for it, after the locality where it was found. 
THE ARTIFICIAL FORMATION OF MiNERALS AND Rocks.—Nearly 
all the interesting researches that have been made in forming 
minerals by artificial means are due to the chemists and mineral- 
ogists of France. Among these none are of more importance than 
those performed by Messrs. Fouqué and Michel-Lévy in the for- 
mation of various volcanic rocks and minerals through fusion. 
Recently they have collected their researches, heretofore scattered 
at different temperatures, carefully chosen, a number of artile 
products closely resembling natural minerals and rocks were pie 
duced. Thus from a fused mixture of anorthite and pa ge 
plagioclase crystals were obtained by a white heat, kept UP a 
forty-eight hours, and on a second heating at a lower temps a4 
ophitic diabuse was obtained. ; rmed 
Most of the basic basaltic rocks were thus artificially form dic 
by one or more fusions of a mixture of minerals. The To ake 
rocks, or those containing quartz, orthoclase, muscovite, ot 
blende, &c., could not thus be produced. An amorphous vt 
pra A eea was obtained, and the latter minerals wou 
crystallize out of a fused mass. ite, 
e interesting conclusion is therefore reached that gan 
gneiss, and other acidic rocks, with their enclosed mo the 
not the result of igneous fusion. This is in accord Wi con- 
generally accepted belief of geologists, derived from many 
siderations. 
