FOSSILIFEROUS HEMATITE NODULES IN LEICESTERSHIRE. 
5 
Streak. —The usual streak is red. The brown haematite 
or limonite nodules, &c., of course, give a brown streak,* 
but we do not find the proportion of stones having a 
decidedly brown streak at all numerous. There is, 
nevertheless, a considerable percentage of nodules which 
give streaks varying between red and brown, or rather 
between yellow ochre and blood red, passing through various 
shades of brown. In two specimens only have I detected a 
blade streak ; one of them, in appearance, is singularly like 
some of the celebrated magnetic black oxide of iron so largely 
wrought in Sweden. It bears an impression of the fossil 
Catamites. The other is a small nodule of magnetite, with a 
shiny black anthracite coke-like fracture, and of low sp. gr. 
Magnetism. —Probably about two per cent, of the lumps 
may be classed as magnetite, i.e., they possess polarity. 
Where this property is displayed the specimens almost 
invariably have their poles residing, not at opposite ends, 
corners, or sides (or diametrically opposite), but apparently 
in points having no particular relation to one another; they 
are often on the same edge, or side, or end of a stone. It is 
not only in the hardest or brightest nodules, &c., that polarity 
exists, but it is equally strongly present in specimens the 
most worthless or earthy. In fact, this property seems to be 
present only in those specimens that have been exposed to 
the action of air, rain, &c. I have tested many hundreds of 
pieces, and have found only one which is simply magnetic or 
non-polaric ; whereas all others that will at all affect the 
needle display polarity. I am puzzled to account for this 
fact, and I may also add that this singular individual (a 
remarkable stone in other respects) possesses its magnetic 
iron concentrated all in one particular spot—a projecting 
point on its surface about the size of a pea—the nodule itself 
measuring about two inches long. 
Fossils. —Careful and diligent search has revealed the 
presence of a goodly number of organic remains belonging to 
both the animal and vegetable kingdoms in these lnematites. 
They are unquestionably of coal-measure age, and, as Permian 
fossils, are of course only derivative; no true forms of that 
series have, I believe, yet been discovered in this district. 
The plant-remains—of which a list is appended—occur both 
upon the outside as well as enclosed in the stones. This is 
of course natural, as the majority of the specimens are 
fragmentary, and whole nodules are not common. Now and 
* All limonites, however, do not give the brown streak, e.g., the 
iron ore of Bilbao, in Spain, so largely employed by our steel and iron 
manufacturers, gives a red streak. 
