Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-19

ical analyses One specimen was in a
lot obtained from the North Carolina
site several years ago and the other
was in the Roebling collection Of min
erals in the custody of the Smithsonian
Institution.
The new material, which has a spe-
cif1c gravity Of $50, ranges from dark
brown to orange brown in color and has
slightly waxy luster. Its principal
constituent is an uranium oxide, about
81 per cent. Very small amounts Of
lead, rare earths, water and sodium
enter into the composition of the
mineral
1t has been named clarkeite, after
the late Prof Frank WigglesWorth
Clarke of the United States Geological
Survey. The discovery is credited joint
ly to Clarence S. Ross of the Geological
Survey, E. P. Henderson of the Smith
sonian Institution and E. Posnjak OF
the Geophysical Laboratory.
The second new mineral discovered in
the Smithsonian material is a nearly
transparent substance, browniSh to
yellow in color, which itself is nom
radioactive, although it is found in close
conjunction with uranium bearing rocks.
1t occurs in Southwestern Colorado and
Southeastern Utah and may later be
found in considerable quantities.
Insoluble in Water.
1t is apparently insoluble in water,
and its principal constituents are the
rare element, vanadium iron and water.
In the semi-arid region where it is
found, it is explained by E. P. Hender-
son of the Smithsonian staff, who is
one of the co-diScovererS the Vanadium
and uranium minerals have been de-
posted by cool, meteoric water circulate
ing through the comparatively soft,
porous sandstones.
They all have been moved greater
or less distance from their original po-
Sition. The mineral, the discovery of
which is credited to Henderson and
Frank L. Hess of the Bureau of Mines,
has been named fervanite.
The third mineral hitherto unknown
to science was discovered by William
L. FoShag of The Smithsonian staff n
material from the SearleS Lake region
OF California, where there is body of
solid salts covering an area OF more
than y square miles and exceeding 100
feet thick. The new material, named
schairerite, is believed to have been
recovered from near the bottom of this
layer.
Colorless in Pure State.
1t Is described by FOShag as "a sui
phate and fuoride Of soda" slowly but
completely soluble III water and accur-
ring only in the form of crystals. which
seldom exceed a millimeter in length
Sometimes tiny crystals of other sub
stances are found inside these. 1t is
a brittle mineral. colorless i'll its purest
state, but generally family milky or
flecked with minute, cloudike masses e
of inclosed mud.
The fourth Of the new minerals Is
krausite, sulphate from San Berna-
dino County, Calf, and from the
dumps of a Mexican mine. Krausite.
named in honor of the professor OF
mineraloey at the University of Mich
igan, is insoluble in water, Its prin-
cipal constituents are sulphur, potas-
SUM and iron.
1t is found in several forms. One
form consists of comparatively large,
rough CRYSTALS. and often has a pale
mauve color superimposed on the yell
lew of the purer mineral. second
form is that of lemonyellow crystals,
very small and often clear and with
brilliant luster. This new mineral aIso
was discovered by Mr. Foshag.