Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-12-26
For the Oxford Democrat.
Minerals OF Oxford County.
Nj. N lie n.

LsripoLirs This beautiful mineral.
which 10 generally considered rare. occurs
abundsn,ly at Nc. Mica. In masses Of vari.
Gus sizes. hme having been obtained wesh.
ing upwards Of 100 pounds. These masses
consist OF An aggregation OF small pcarly
scales, varying in color from pale rose to
bright purple, giving to the minerals very
elegant appearance on tho surfaces OF
fracture. Like Amblysoniis, previously
mentioned. It 10 interesting on account OF
containing q considerable amount Of the
metal Li,hium, and. ~ has boon recently
demonstrated by Mr. o ID. Allen, In avery
interesting paper published IN Sill'man's
Journal Tor November, IN unusually large
amount OF the newly discovered and rare
metals Rubidium and CU,ium. According
to Mr. Allen. the proportion OF Rubidinm
amounts to about 0.2 per cent, and OF
Cenum to o 3 per cent +. which Is q greater
proportion than 10 contained in most other
substances in which they have been found.
The specimen aLalyrcd was from the Hebron
locality. butirom the very close resemblance
OF oil the minerals, there is no reason to
suppose that there will 10 much difference
in the composition OF specimens from Mt.
Mica.
PrrsprIx. This mineral was formerly
obtained here. IN large and fine specimens.
Lu, none have been iound. to my know.
ledge. Tor several years. Like Lepidoli,c,
this alec contains Li,hium. The specimens
tha, | have seen are small ma.scs weighing
one or two ounces. The color is gray or
dull reddish with a CLASSY iu''rc. which DO.
comes somewhat pearly on the cleavage sur.
faces. This 10 considered rare mineral /:
in this country very few localities are
known.
TorRn,tiyS. NJ, Mica is perhaps more
widely known as u mineral locality. by the
rare and beautiful specimens Of red and
green tourmalines iha, have been obtained
here, than on any other account. Some
tina, were formerly found were an inch in
diameter and transparent, approaching tho
ruby in beauty and value. but for several
years none have been procured except more
ordinary scmi.transparen, and brittle spcci.
men. OF little value eIcep, ~ cabinet spcci
mems. These are. however. OF u great ,ari.
ETY. 81 color. and forms. and 81 considerable
Interest to mineralogi.,s. The most com.
mon variety, here as we'll a. elsewhere. 10
black. opaque and with but little lus,re.
TIN. passes gradually into h!ae black and
blue varieties. which have been called IaGic.
ohi,. These are generally Opaque or nearly
80. and are seldom found in well formed
crystals. The green varieties. varying fron
very pale to deep cras. green, are very
ahandan, at this place. and though no, OF.
ten found in perfec, crystals. are usually
brish, and nearly transparent. They are
generally undecided IN mica or quartz. and
frequently have q radia,ed structure CON
,i.,lng oil thin. Dat. or needle like crystals.
drv,r.ins from = common centre. Sumo.
tunes crystal. are green externally and red
within. or tho reverse. and sometimes one
end 70 green while the other 10 red or blue.
The red varieties are the mos, rarc. and
perhaps the most interesting. They occur
Of various shades. from pale pink TO ruby.
red aud deep crimson. and are generally
transparent. and. occasionally, arc found in
very perfect cry.,al.. when they arc very
beautiful. This variety has beer called RI.
J,ihr from il. color. In addition to these
color., puro white specimens are not On.
common. as well - various shades Of
Brown. but ,beso are not usually considered
as Of much interest by collectors.
BrsYL. Associated with the large crys.
tails OF black iourmllinc and sometimes I'm.
beddst in them, very good specimens OF Der.
Vi are sometimes met with These are hex.
agonal pri.ms. generally somewhs, irrrgu.
lar in form. and not often with the ends
perfect, OF light green color, translucent,
and yi,reous in lpstrc. Tho hardness 10
greater than that Of quartz.
Mica. Large quantities Of this mineral.
from which the locality has taken its name.
may always be obtained. IL occurs in i'm.
perfectly crys,alized masses or sheets. often
q loot or moro IN diameter. but seldom OF
sufficient purity or transparency to be OF
commercial value. like that from Acwortb
and Grafton, y. H., which 10 used for the
doors Of stoves, lanterns. ETC., and, OF late.
to considerable extent. Tor delicate photo.
graphic plates. The name Mu,eorih 10 also
applied TO this mineral.
FELpsraR. The principal part Of tho
vein in which NIL the minerals previously
mentioned ars found, consists Of u gray ish
variety Of field par, occurring in imperlec,ly
crystalized masses, Of bus little interest or
value, unless IL be regarded in connection
with the origin and nature Of she vcin and
the relations Of the different minerals. one
TO another. which are questions that can.
not. with propriety. be discussed here.
ALnIrE The variety Of albi:e which has
heen called hr aons fnineru l,Ci.ts Ciso,,