The New York herald., 1851-08-26

geological question arises; Is the metamorphism o.
| this metallic vein attributable to the agency o.
the intrusive rocks in contact with it, and, II So
should We not infer that the gneous intrusive rock
is more recent than the vein OF Franklinite.
MAGNEsIAN OPAL, PROM NEAR HARaIANJIcK, ASIA
MINOR. BY PROFESSOR J. LAWRENCE Smith,
OF LOUISIANA.
This opal is one found in several places that
have come under my observation in the western
parts Of Asia Minor and the Island of Metyline
IL is found, along with carbonate Of magnesia, in
serpen tine. The serpentine appears to have un-
dergone decomposition by water containing
carbonic aeid, the magnesia combining with the
carbonic acid TO form carbonate Of magnesa, and
the silica becoming converted into opal, Involving
a small amount Of magnesia. The composition OF
the opal was found
Water 80. .....''' '.'''''' T. 10
Silica a................. ..........'.. '...Ss.0O
Magnesia ........ " ..'.' .''' o'oJ
ON THE MEERscHAUM "a SILIcATE OF MAGNEslA
USED FOR MAKING PIPEs) OF Eskr SIEIIR, IN
ASIA MINOR. By PROFESSOR j. LAURENCE
SMITH, OF LOUISIANA.
This substance is one that has been long known
to the arts, without an aeaarate knowledge
ture, from the fact that almost all OF that
substance, which came into commerce, was de-
rived from a region in Asia Minor but little
visited. The object of the present paper is to
make up this deficiency. The locality alluded to
is at Eski- Shehr, the ancient Doujlacem in West
ern Asia Minor, about an hundred miles from the
Sea OF Marmora, and as many from the BLACK
which consists of calcareous breccia, extending
to considerable depth, and, doubtless, belonging
to the tertiary form alton.
The mersehaum exists in masses of different
sizes, from that of walnut to the size OF q mans
body, embedded In this breccia. The manner of
mining it was fully entered into. 1t was,
doubtless, explored by the Greeks at very early
date. What use they III ade of it, however, is not
known. 1t is now explored by the Turks, who
form themselves into companies, contributing their
labor, AMI dividing the profits, in proportion to
the labor furnished. All merschaum that is OBJ.
tanned from the mines in the plain, goes to Vienna
for the purpose of making pipes, segar tubes Sc,
that cut out Of the su osJance and carved with
ornamental figures, the stone being SOFT and yield
ing readily to the knife. Large specimens were
exhibited which were more like cork than stone;
it floats on water, like the latter substance,
hence its name (the foam Of the sea), but alb
serbs water rapidly, and sinks. When dry it is
extremely white, and compressible by the nail;
when saturated with water it is softer than wax,
and is readily crushed in the hand; it absorbs
twice it's weight of water. The mining of it is
very precariOus, for although the mass obtained
nished in bulk before fit for market. 1t is, chemi
cally, hydrated silicate OF magnesia. The analy-
sis Of several specimens were given. The trade is
not valuable as formerly, other localities OF more
or less importance having been discovered.
SECTION OF CHEMISTRY AND MINERALoGY.
ANALYSIS OF BITUMINoUs Coal ASH, by GEO. w.
WYMAN, YALE LABORATORY.
Professor Horsfeld in the chair; j. w. Blake,
acting secretary.
The analysis of anthracite coal ashes, presented
by MIR. Bunce at the New Haven meeting of this
association, having given so interesting results, |
was led TO undertake similar investigation OF the
bitumirous coal ash Inc coal from which the ash
was obtained was procured at Pttsburg, Pa, and
is the same as is generally used there. 1t was
burned in large furnace, where the heat was in
tense, and every precaution was taken to have it
free from impurity. The fire was allowed to burn
for a day, and then thoroughly raked out before
| any ash was taken. The mean of three determine
tions of ash, SC, in the coal, gave the following
results -
bltumeE. ............. % %
1000
| Three determinations Of amount Of ash soluble
in water and hydrochloric acid, gave these re-
sults-
First Deter
minaton. Second. Third. Mean
Soluble in water sst.oo s.o sai S.s 81!
, ipsoluble $500 $500 1919 SS6