36 
Magnesian fossils are quite common. Among those no¬ 
ticed, are the tremolite , actynolite , chlorite in its earthy and 
slaty forms, together with talc. Serpentine is found in 
Rhode-Island,* also at Hoboken in New-Jersey. This place 
is probably the richest in magnesian minerals, of any in the 
northern states. Beautiful specimens of amiarithus are 
found, and some years since, Dr. Bruce discovered at that 
place, native magnesia , a substance altogether unknown on 
the eastern continent. Asbestos and steatite are frequently 
met with. In general it may be observed, that fossils of 
this class, are objects of curiosity, rather than of importance. 
Serpentine, steatite or soap-stone, and some others, are 
however used in the arts. They are occasionally turned * 
and polished into vessels of various shapes. At Zoblitz in 
Upper Saxony, there is an extensive manufactory of the 
latter article.f 
Zircon , which was once supposed peculiar to Ceylon 
and Norway, has been detected at Trenton (New-Jersey) by 
Mr. Conrad4 It is used as a gem. 
To the same purposes are appropriated the emerald and 
beryl , minerals arranged under the denomination of Glucinc 
fossils, that earth forming a constituent part of their compo¬ 
sition. Emerald is found near Boston and in Virginia.— 
Beryl or aqua-marine in the vicinity of Northampton (Mass.) 
in Maryland, and in Pennsylvania.^ 
Barytes has been discovered in its form of sulphate , in 
Sussex county, (New-Jersey) and in Maryland. The crys- 
talized variety or baroselenite has also been observed.[J 
The varieties of Alumine which are found in this country, 
* Med. Repos, vcl. 8, p. 62. 
f In the returns of manufactures for Massachusetts for 1810, 
there is inserted the following, “ Soap Stone Manufactory 
Si3,000.” From the best information I am able to obtain, the 
above substance appears to be a species of potstone , or lapis olla- 
ris, It is procured from New-Hampshire, and is often used in 
the making of fire places, and stoves. 
4 Bruce, No. 3, p. 12 7. 
§ Dr. Luce, a member of the mineralogical committee, has in 
his collection, specimens of both minerals from Massachusetts. 
j| Vide Seybert’s catalogue of American minerals in Coxe’s 
Med. Museum, vol. 6', p. 265. 
