The novaculite is mentioned as occurring on Washita, as described by Mr. Bringier in the present number.
Steatite exists in abundance at the falls of St. Anthony, on the Mississippi, and is used by the Indians for pipes.
The fluate of lime, near Shawneetown, was described in the first volume of this journal.
Among other minerals, Mr. Schoolcraft mentions chalcedony in several varieties, earthy oxide of lead, native copper, alum, manganese, opalized and agatized wood, opal, jasper, coal, gypsum, native epsom salts, pumice stone, agate, onyx, burr millstone, native iron, &c.; for the localities and descriptions of which, we must refer to the book itself.
Those facts of Mr. Schoolcraft's volume which relate to statistical and political topics, do not come within the plan of these remarks.
During our cursory notice of this work, we have cited a number of the most prominent facts which it contains, both because they are in themselves important, and because we were willing to call the attention of our readers both to them, and to the volume in which they are contained. Both are, in our view, entitled to great respect; and we confess ourselves very much indebted to Mr. Schoolcraft for a great mass of valuable information, which, in a connected form, is, we believe, nowhere else to be found. His statements (as regards the most valuable part) are drawn from his own research and observations, and have evidently been the result of much effort, and of no small share of fatigue and personal privation. We trust that so valuable a work will not stop with a single edition, and perhaps we might venture to suggest to the author, that in a second, he might advantageously condense into one view some facts which are several times repeated in different parts of the volume—such as those respecting the granite and its connected rocks, the lead ore and its associated minerals, &c.
We consider the present work as an acquisition to our means of information respecting our mineral resources, and believe that it must be a regular volume of reference for all those who are interested in the investigation of these subjects.
FOOTNOTES:
[24] It is mentioned by the author, as a chemical test or reagent: it may, by decomposing it by ignition with charcoal, or with an alkaline carbonate, be made to afford its earth for the preparation of barytic tests, but we are not aware that it is itself ever used as a test.
[25] They are attributed by the author to phosphorus. Is it supposed to be in the form of phosphuretted hydrogen? May not these be electrical phenomena?