312 



THE GEOLOGIST. 



specimens referred to how is it possible that he can know whether they are 

 wrong or not. 



The above specimens, together with many other species, I received from a 

 gentleman residing in the immediate locality, who is a very enthnsiastic col- 

 lector of the Lower Silurian fossils, and who I believe was the discoverer of 

 most of the species found in that part, many of which I am aware have been 

 described by Mr. Salter. 



Mr. Salter's styling the communications from me in your "Notes and Queries" 

 advertisements, is another mistake ; but others know as well as myself how 

 positively you close the pages of your journal against any transactions of a 

 mercantile character. — I am, Sir, yours, &c, James It. Gregory. 



New Minerals. — The following seven species or varieties of minerals were 

 described in the ninth supplement to Professor Dana's Mineralogy, by Prof. 

 G. J. Bush, and published in the May number of Sillimans' American Journal 

 of Science. 



Dianite (Yon Kobell). This new mineral described by Yon Kobell is a 

 variety of tantalite, found at Tamelain Finland: the specific gravity of dianite 

 is 5 - 5, and that of tantalite 7*38 to 7'5. The colour and streak of dianite is 

 blackish grey, and of tantalite dark brownish red. Yon Kobell distinguishes 

 a new metallic acid, which he proposes to call dianic ac'd, in this new mineral; 

 and he also finds it in exenite, seschinite, and samarskite. 



Hjelmite (Nordenskiold). This is a new tantalite from Kararfshof in 

 Sweden, and is described by Nordenskiold — the colour jet-black; lustre metallic; 

 fracture granular; specific gravity 5*82; hardness 5*0; streak blackish grey. 



Hoemesite (Haid.). A new hydrated arseniate of magnesia from the Banat. 

 It was first recognised by Dr. Kenngott on a specimen in the Imperial cabinet 

 of Yienna. It occurs in talc-like, stellated, columnar, and snow-white pearly 

 masses, transparent, and optically bi-axial ; the lustre on cleavage pearly ; 

 flexible. Specific gravity 2"474 ; hardness 0*5 to l'O. 



Melanhy&rite. A new mineral found in a decomposed wacke, from Schrnel- 

 zerthal, near Hounef, on the Rhine, and first described by Krantz. It is 

 found amorphous, in irregular nodules, having a conchoidal fracture. Opaque ; 

 colour velvet-black to brownish black ; streak blackish brown : it does not 

 fall to pieces in water, and in small fragments adheres to the tongue ; in com- 

 position near pelagonite. 



Phiit oid (A. Knop). This is a new name to a rock-specimen from Chemnitz, 

 in Saxony. Colour leek,- oil,- and greenish-grey, passing into white andred : 

 specific gravity, 2788 ; hardness 25 : very closely allied to pinite. 



Pisanite (Kenngott). Dr. Kenngott describes this as a cupreous variety of 

 copperas. 



Uranophane (Websky). This new mineral is from a copper-mine at Kupfer- 

 berg, in Silesia ; compact and amorphous. Colour honey- yellow to siskin - 

 green, in microscopic crystals. Specific gravity 2'7S ; hardness less than 3*0; 

 lustre vitreous to pearly. — J.R.G. 



New Caverns ix Yorkshire. — Dear Sir, — It may be interesting to many 

 of your readers who are likely to visit Yorkshire during the ensuing vacation, 

 to know that two new caves have recently been discovered in the mountain- 

 limestone district of that county — one at Greenhow Hill, near Pately Bridge, 

 ami the other in Littondalc, near Kilnsea Crag. The former contains some of 

 the finest specimens of stalactites ever met with in this county, which have 

 fortunately been to a great extent preserved from the ruthless destruction of 

 curiosity-seekers. The cavern in Littondale has little to boast of in stalactites, 

 hut in form and extent it tar exceeds that of Greenhow Hill. It has already 

 been traced seven hundred feet into the hill, through the greater part of which 

 distance it averages upwards of twelve feet in height, with a splendid tunnel- 



