162 Sketch of the Geology of the [Jan. 



2. Heulandite, observed frequently in Caranja and Elephanta, ap- 

 pearing in the form of large white crystals. 



Of this last genus the number of species in India will be found ex- 

 tremely numerous ; indeed there can be litfle doubt that this country 

 wiH afford an immense field of discovery for future mineralogical inves- 

 tigators, nor is the scantiness of our mineralogical knowledge of India 

 so much to be wondered at, when we reflect that, as yet, scarce a single 

 addition has been made to our lists from the British possessions in the 

 East, where, of all portions of the globe, geological facts point out the 

 certainty of the greatest mineralogical stores. 



The agate occurs in the form of round nodules, as w T ell as in flat wa- 

 terworn cakes. The chalcedony forms a basis generally upon which 

 the rock-crystal and amethyst are seated, and in one beautiful specimen 

 procured in Caranja, fine crystals of heulandite are similarly placed. 

 The mesolite occurs in large radiated crystals, and likewise in the state 

 of a lump-sugar appearance, which, when fractured, exhibits minute, 

 slender, silky-like crystals, disposed in a radiated form. 



Carnelian may be procured in the bazars, brought from Cambay, 

 where it seems to exist in considerable abundance. It appears that the 

 specimens of this mineral which are worked into ornaments, are prin- 

 cipally obtained from the neighbourhood of Broach, by sinking wells in 

 the dry seasons in the channels of torrents, at the bottom of which they 

 are found lying in the form of round nodules, intermixed with other 

 rolled pebbles, probably forced by the impetuosity of the mountain 

 streams from greater elevations, and generally Weigh from a few ounces 

 to two or three pounds. 



Some of them are red, others pink, but the most delicate and beauti- . 

 ful is certainly the colourless or opaline variety. There can be little 

 hesitation in affirming that similar sources of this mineral exist in the 

 beds of the numerous streams which abound between Bombay and 

 the Ghauts, and which add so materially to the grandeur of this roman- 

 tic region. 



A beautiful variety is brought to Bombay, containing elegant arbori- 

 zations resembling the ramifications of inclosed mosses, a phenomenon 

 which in many instances appears to be justly attributable to such a 

 cause.* 



Bloodstone, or oriental jasper, as sold in the town by the Parsees, 

 appears also to be imported from Guzurat, and the adjacent territories. 

 It is characterized by presenting a greenish appearance, with numer- 



* The remark of Pliny, " Infestantur plurimis vitiis— aliis capillamentum rimae simile," 

 with regard to rock-crystal, refers to the presence of Titanite. Hist. Nat, Lib. xxxvii. c. 2. 



The same naturalist observes of rock-crystal, "Orienset hanc mittit, sed Indicee nulla 

 prsefertur." Hist. Nat. xxxvii. 2. Which is ignoiantly denied by Garcias ab Orto, 

 who was for several years Viceroy of India. He says " Nullo autem exprsedictis 

 loco crystallus invenitur quemadmodum nec per univeisam Indiam. " Hist. Arom. et 

 Simplic Lib. 1. c. 47, p. 171. 



