BEEKITE. 
19 
a fair presumption that the mineral deposit was there before the 
Bryozoa, &c., came. This is the case with some specimens, and 
it shows that the formation of Beekite must have been a fairly 
rapid process. As regards the rapidity of deposit of minerals, the 
following remarks by Sir Charles Lyell are noteworthy. 
In discussing the mineralisation of organic remains, he writes, 
“The student may, perhaps, ask whether on chemical principles 
we have any ground to expect that mineral matter will be thrown 
down precisely in those spots where organic decomposition is in 
progress ? The following curious experiments may serve to illus- 
trate the point. Professor Gdppert, of Breslau, with a view of 
imitating the natural process of petrifaction, steeped a variety of 
animal and vegetable substances in waters, some holding siliceous, 
others calcareous, others metallic, matter in solution. He found 
that in the period of a few weeks, or sometimes even days, the 
organic bodies immersed were mineralised to a certain extent.” 
He further says, “ The late Dr. Turner observed that when mineral 
matter is in a ‘ nascent state,’ that is to say, just liberated from a 
previous state of chemical combination, it is more ready to unite 
with other matter and form a new chemical compound. Probably 
the particles or atoms just set free are of extreme minuteness and 
therefore move more freely and are more ready to obey any impulse 
of chemical affinity. Whatever be the cause it clearly follows, as 
before stated, that where organic matter, newly embedded in sedi- 
ment is decompO/sing, there will chemical changes take place 
most actively. ” * 
Theories and speculations on the subject of the deposition of 
Silica are as plentiful as blackberries (and many are equally wild), 
and time will not allow of their discussion, but the central facts 
will be quite as much as required for this paper, (i) That organic 
remains are mineralised, and ( 2 ) that the mineral is frequently 
Silica. These two points are indisputable, being proved by countless 
specimens from every part of the globe. 
These are the main facts respecting Beekite; in collecting them 
several thousands of specimens have been examined, and numerous 
friends enlisted in the search. The minerals which are of organic 
origin are comparatively few in number, so if we can add another 
one to the list, and also enlist your interest in this beautiful and 
peculiar mineral, the efforts of the writer and those who so kindly 
assisted him in the matter will not have been in vain. The search 
is still incomplete, many likely localities and formations being as 
yet unrepresented (for instance the Tertiary formations and others). 
It is confidently expected that now attention has been called to 
the matter many of the gaps will be filled up. 
Students’ Elements, 1878, p. 45. 
