Sulphate of Barytes

I have received this as a Derbyshire production, from my lute friend Mr. Martyr and from Mr. White Watson of Bakewell, &c. Its peculiar structure requires that it should not go unnoticed. That they have been parts of veins is very evident; and the manner of the crystals shooting (if I may so term it) into a loose matter, accounts for the arborescent ramifications; and they seem to pass from either side more or less freely, according to the opposition they meet with.

The upper specimen appears to ramify from the two opposite sides, and nearly meet; but a concrete hardish earthy Oxide of Iron interposes, at which they seem to recoil. The upper part of this specimen has a more porous and mixed Oxide of Iron among the gangue, which has the appearance of lava; but I presume is not. The lower specimen is part of a narrow vein with smaller ramifications, which, relieved by the loose darkish earthy Oxide of Iron, &c. has a pretty appearance.