Page:Transactions of the Geological Society, 1st series, vol. 3.djvu/424

 I had got, and some of which have since obtained a place in the museum at Paris, and have been mentioned in the catalogue of Mr. Lucas, p. 132, under the name of Corindon Harmophane basé. The few remaining specimens, being all of an inferior quality, I gave to my mineralogical friends, keeping but a single crystal for my own collection, in the hope that on my return to Sweden I should easily procure a fresh supply from a large stock of Gellivara iron ore in my possession. In this expectation however I have been for the last ten years disappointed, and it is only within a few days that my search has been successful enough to furnish me with sufficient materials for a satisfactory description of this substance. The few but very excellent specimens now in my possession, and which will perfectly serve this purpose, I have been so fortunate as to pick out of several hundred pounds of Gellivara iron ores, for which I am indebted to Bar. Hermelin, the proprietor of the mines. It is rather singular that with the exception of the specimens I have mentioned, I did not discover a trace of corundum in the large quantity which was examined. I am led to believe therefore that it is by no means common, or at all events that the mines which are now worked do I not furnish it in abundance. The specimen which accompanies this short memoir, and which I have the honour to present to the Geological Society, is the best and most complete among them all.

Oryctognostic description of the Gellivara Corundum.

When perfectly cleared of the grayish dust of the iron ore in which the crystals are imbedded, their colour is exactly that of common French flint.

The only form in which it has hitherto been found is that of an