The vesicles of an olivine-dolerite that occurs as a small outcrop near Portree in the Isle of Skye contain zeolites and some hydrated calcium silicates. These latter include tobermorite, xonotlite, gyrolite, and what is presumed to be a new member of the tobermorite group. An attempt is made to account for the sequence of crystallization of the minerals.

Starting in December 1930, Mr. Bertram Thomas made the crossing of the Rub' al Khali, the desert region of Arabia lying between the mountains of the south coast and the Persian Gulf. Never before had this desert been crossed by any European, and probably rarely even by Arabs. The material collected on this expedition has been presented by Mr. Thomas for preservation in the British Museum.

For the estimation of the properties of calcium-iron olivines in ironore sinters, synthetic mixtures of CaO, FeO, and SiO2 were prepared and melted; the obtained olivines were then examined microscopically and by X-ray powder method. The investigations allowed to state, that with the increase of the basicity of sinters, the relation of Fe : Ca in olivines decreases, which causes the change of their physical, optical, and röntgenometric properties.

At a number of locations along the Pacific margin of the Americas and west Antarctica, small volumes of alkalic basalts were erupted following successive ridge crest-trench collisions. The basalts were generated as a result of upwelling of asthenosphere through windows in the subducted plate. There is no evidence for local high temperature mantle plumes or significant lithospheric extension associated with these basalts. For the best sampled area, the Antarctic Peninsula, mean values for fractionation-corrected iron content (FeO*) vary from 6.9 to 10.6 wt.%, and for Na2O (Na8.0) from 3.25 to 4.6 wt.%, implying generation of small melt-fractions at variable mean pressures. The results of rare earth element inversion modelling yield a melt generation interval of 100 to 52 km, with a maximum melt fraction of c. 7% generated from a MORB-like source at Tp 1300°C. Trace element and isotope systematics are also consistent with the generation of the basalts from a MORB-like source.

Mean pressures of melt generation increase with increasing distance from the original trench, but trace element and Na8.0 data suggest that there is no systematic variation in extent of melting with distance from the trench. The data are consistent with a model whereby a MORB melting column, initially intersecting the peridotite solidus at between 15 and 30 kbar, is truncated by a lithospheric cap which thickens from c. 15–20 km (≈ 5–8 kbar) up to a maximum of c. 50 km (≈ 15 kbar), such that the mean pressures of melting increase with increasing distance from the palaeo-trench. The MORB-like major element geochemistry of basalt samples closest to the ancestral trench are consistent with initial intersection of the peridotite solidus at low pressures (c. 15 kbar). For areas of thickest lithosphere, mean pressures of melt generation are higher, but extents of melting are lower than for a MORB melting column with a similar initial pressure of intersection of the peridotite solidus. All these basalts therefore potentially represent analogues for the small melt-fraction precursors to the generation of MOR tholeiites.

Thermal constraints suggest that these low volume, small melt-fractions, were generated with CO2 on the solidus, because mean pressures of melt generation are greater than the pressure of intersection of the Tp 1300°C mantle adiabat and the dry peridotite solidus. Potentially, all MORB may be generated initially with CO2 on the solidus, and if this is correct, it does not require thermal anomalies to generate large extents of melting at high mean pressures.

Macro- and micro-perthitic microclines from pegmatites from Perth, Ontario (Wards catalogue 46 E 0510) and Keystone, South Dakota (Wards 46 E 5125) have been studied using light and electron microscopy. A sample of the type perthite from Perth, Ontario (Hunterian Museum, Glasgow, M2361)was compared using light microscopy. It differs in bulk composition and microtexture from the Wards sample. The Perth sample from Wards is a mesoperthite, with sub-periodic ∼mm-thick albite veins near (100), with irregular surfaces. The microcline has regular tartan twins and formed fromorthoclase by a continuous process. The Keystone sample is a microperthite, with non-periodic albite veins mainly in {110}. Irregular tartan twins, volumes of irregular microcline and subgrains suggest that the microcline formed by dissolution–reprecipitation. Microcline in both samplescontains semicoherent cryptoperthitic albite films that formed after the development of tartan twins. The bulk compositions of these intergrowths imply exsolution below ∼400°C. Diffusion parameters imply sustained heating for between 0.11 My at 400°C, 1.5 GPa and 8.4 My at 300°C,1 GPa. Unrealistic times are required at 200°C. Subsequently, the crystals reacted with a fluid leading to replacive growth of the vein perthites. Unusually, Albite twin composition planes in replacive subgrains have sub-periodic dislocations, formed by coalescence of advancing growthtwins. Processes that might lead to periodic, replacive intergrowths are discussed. The Perth and Keystone feldspars have been used for experimental work on dissolution during weathering and on anomalous thermoluminescence fading. Their microtextures make them unsuitable for obtaining propertiesthat can be extrapolated to feldspars in general.

Zoning in garnets in Barrovian garnet zone rocks of central Perthshire is shown to be dependent on the continuous prograde reaction histories in which the garnet was involved. In highly aluminous rocks, garnet grows at the expense of chloritoid and staurolite whereas in less aluminous rocks garnet grows at the expense of chlorite. Minerals included in garnet such as ilmenite, plagioclase, chlorite, and chloritoid show compositional changes which with the garnet zoning elucidate the garnet-forming reactions. Where garnet is resorbed to produce staurolite the former loses Fe at its rim to staurolite so that ‘reverse’ zoning of decreasing Fe and increasing Mn and Ca towards garnet rim develops.

A classification and nomenclature scheme has been approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification for the minerals of the graftonite group. The crystal structures of these minerals have three distinct sites that are occupied by Fe2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+. These sites have coordination numbers [8], [5] and [6], and these differences lead to very strong order of Fe2+, Mn2+ and Ca2+ over these sites. As a result of this strong order, the following compositions have been identified as distinct species: graftonite: FeFe2(PO4)2; graftonite-(Ca): CaFe2(PO4)2; graftonite-(Mn): MnFe2(PO4)2; beusite: MnMn2(PO4)2; and beusite-(Ca): CaMn2(PO4)2.

The equations of state of dense hydrous magnesium silicates (DHMS), determined from high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction are reviewed, including hydroxylchondrodite, hydroxylclinohumite, phase A, phase B (anhydrous and hydrous), superhydrous phase B and phase E. The phases along the forsterite–brucite join, Mg2SiO4–Mg(OH)2, display near (increasing) linearity in compressibility with respect to water content and increasing bulk moduli (KT) with density. Such trends allow prediction of the as yet unknown bulk moduli of phases such as OH-Mg norbergite. The addition of water also reduces the bulk modulus of the B-phases and the anisotropy observed in axial compression. The alternating layers of octahedra and octahedra + tetrahedra completely control compression of the B phases, with the stacking direction becoming more compressible with addition of water. The enigmatic Phase E has the highest KT' yet measured for a hydrous silicate and one of the lowest KT. In contrast with other DHMS, Phase E is only slightly anisotropic in axial compression and we attribute this to the role of the intralayer cations in the structure. The degree of hydration and the vacancy concentration appear to be coupled in Phase E.

High-iron bustamite and apatite occur as subhedral large crystals up to 1 to 2 cm wide and 10 cm long in close association with spessartine in the disseminated sphalerite- and galena-bearing diopside-roepperite-calcite skarn at the New Broken Hill Consolidated mine (N.B.H.S.), New South Wales, Australia. Complete chemical analyses of the minerals have been made, together with physical, optical, and X-ray studies.

An undeformed metadolerite dyke cutting foliated pyroxene-granulite facies gneisses in the Jotunhelm, Norway, has almandine rods replacing the cores of plagioclase laths, although garnet is generally absent from the enclosing gneisses, and is not present in reaction zones between peridotites and gneisses. Chemical analyses of the dyke and its garnet, plagioclase, and clinopyroxene are given. The presence of garnet in the dyke is attributed to the low mg ratio of the rock. The nature of the reaction leading to garnet pseudomorphous after plagioclase is discussed.

The history of the chemical analysis of minerals is shortly reviewed. Following rapid developments between 1770 and 1810, few important changes took place for close on 130 years; new procedures led to simpler and more convenient separations but not, on the whole, to greater accuracy. The older analyses are, in general, neither worse nor better than modern ones, and analyses can only be assessed on internal evidence, if available, or on the reputation of the analyst.

The development of microchemical and colorimetric techniques in the last 40 years has resulted in a great reduction in the amount of material required for a mineral analysis; 5 to 20 mg is usually sufficient, and in favourable cases a complete analysis may be possible on less than I mg. Some modern instrumental methods are considered, and it is concluded that they cannot wholly replace the classical wet-chemical methods in their modern developments.

W. F. Hillebrand (1894) deplored the tendency of some petrologists to demand large numbers of very incomplete rock analyses, and his remarks are considered apposite today.

The crystal structure and the chemical composition of a paravauxite from the Siglo Veinte Mine, Llallagua, Bustillo Province, Potosi Department, Bolivia [Fe (Fe0.916 2+Mn0.016 2+Mg0.064Ca0.002)∑0.998Al(1)Al(2)Al2.005P (P1.998Si0.002)∑2O8(OH)2·8H2O, a = 5.242(1) Å, b = 10.569(2) Å, c = 6.970(2) Å, α = 106.78(3)°, β = 110.81(2)° and γ = 72.29(2)°, space group P ], was investigated by single-crystal neutron diffraction and electron microprobe analysis in wavelength-dispersive mode. Neutron-intensity data were collected at 293 K and anisotropic structure refinement was performed. At the end of the refinement no peak larger than ±1.3 fm/Å3 was present in the final difference-Fourier map of the nuclear density. The final statistical index was R 1 = 0.0495 for 194 refined parameters and 1678 unique reflections with F o > 4σ(F o). Eleven independent H sites (i.e. H(1), H(2), H(3), H(4A), H(4B), H(5), H(6), H(7), H(8), H(9A) and H(9B)), all at ∼1 Å from the respective O sites, were located successfully. H(4A) and H(4B) and H(9A) and H(9B) are two mutually exclusive subsite couples only 0.4−0.6 Å apart. The complex H-bonding scheme in the paravauxite structure is now well defined and 12 independent H bonds, with an energetically favourable bonding configuration, are described. A comparison between the previous experimental findings based on Raman and infrared spectroscopy and those obtained in this present study is carried out. Paravauxite provides the rare opportunity to investigate the H-bond configuration of coexisting hydroxyl groups and H2O molecules in minerals by single-crystal neutron diffraction. H2O is present as zeolitic (i.e. lying in the cavities) and non-zeolitic H2O (i.e. bonded to Al or Fe to form Al or Fe octahedra).

The symmetry of diamond is still disputed, and is usually regarded as 4/m3̄2/m or 4̄3m. The (rare) development of tetrahedral morphology has been cited in favour of the lower symmetry. A tetrahedral crystal of c. 4 mm edge-length was studied for evidence relevant to this controversy. Three similar quadrants have nearly plane tetrahedron faces, each surrounded by six curved surfaces belonging to forms {hkl}. The fourth (unique) quadrant, containing (IĪĪ), differs topographically. In the three similar quadrants the tetrahedron faces exhibit coplanar banding of trigons parallel to (IĪĪ), and the curved surfaces have striations parallel to it. The banding and striations are interpreted as stratigraphic etching of nitrogen-rich layers parallel to (IĪĪ) in a type I diamond. Slip, and apparently polygonization, occur in the unique quadrant. The three similar {III} faces were formed by cleavage, and the curved surfaces, banding, and striations by subsequent dissolution. It is probable that (IĪĪ) was part of an original octahedral surface, since tetrahedra of diamond are so rare. The tetrahedral morphology does not necessarily indicate that this crystal belongs to class 4̄3m. The doubt cast upon tetrahedral morphology (and the inferred twinning on {100} or about (100>) as evidence in favour of lower symmetry strengthens the case for assigning diamond to class 4/m3̄2/m.

An olivine-titanomagnetite-apatite-clinopyroxene-mica-nepheline-feldspar assemblage occurs in late-stage vesicles in a small outcrop of olivine leucitite at Cosgrove, Victoria. The vesicles were formed by exsolution of volatiles at an early stage in the cooling history of the lava. Subsequently, a volatile-rich residual liquid filled cavities and fractures, giving rise to a coarse-grained pegmatoid rock type similar in over-all mineralogy to the vesicles. The volatiles facilitating crystallization in both the vesicles and the pegmatoid were probably enriched in F, CO2, and P. A number of geothermometers applied to the vesicle assemblage failed to agree on likely crystallization temperatures.

Veins cutting the Brioverian sediments at Le Pulec, Jersey, were worked in the 1870s for silver and lead. Investigation of the mineralogy of both the sediments and cross-cutting veins has shown a complex mineralization history. Siltstones close to the contact with the North-West granite have been bleached, silicified, and dolomitized, and this has been accompanied by the introduction of pyrite, marcasite, and arsenopyrite. Later vein mineralization contains sphalerite and ferroan dolomite accompanied by lesser amounts of galena and chalcopyrite and minor quantities of argentian tetrahedrite, native antimony, bournonite, cubanite, plagionite, and stibnite. The mineral assemblage is unlike the other mineral occurrences of Jersey that have previously been described.

Rewitzerite, K(H2O)Mn2(Al2Ti)(PO4)4[O(OH)](H2O)10⋅4H2O, is a new monoclinic member of the paulkerrite group, from the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. It was found in specimens of altered zwieselite, in association with rockbridgeite. Rewitzerite forms clusters of colourless elongated hexagonal-shaped prisms, up to 0.1 mm long. The crystals are flattened on {010} and elongated along [100], with forms {010}, {001}, {111} and {$\bar{1}$11}. The calculated density is 2.33 g⋅cm–3. Optically, rewitzerite crystals are biaxial (+), with α = 1.585(2), β = 1.586(2), γ = 1.615(2) (measured in white light) and 2V(meas) = 25(2)°. The empirical formula from electron microprobe analyses and structure refinement is A1[K0.77(H2O)0.23]A2[H2O] M1(Mn2+0.82Mg0.64Fe3+0.43□0.11)Σ2.00 M2+M3(Al1.51Ti4+1.06Fe3+0.43)Σ3.00(PO4)4 X[(OH)0.54F0.42O1.04]Σ2.00(H2O)10⋅4H2O, where □ = vacancy.

Rewitzerite has monoclinic symmetry with space group P21/c and unit-cell parameters a = 10.444(2) Å, b = 20.445(2) Å, c = 12.2690(10)Å, β = 90.17(3)°, V = 2619.8(6) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure was refined using synchrotron single-crystal data to wRobs = 0.068 for 5894 reflections with I > 3σ(I). The crystal structure has the same topology as that for orthorhombic paulkerrite-group minerals but differs primarily in having an ordering of K+ and H2O molecules in different A sites, whereas they are disordered at a single A site in the orthorhombic members of the group.