The crystal structures of sjögrenite and pyroaurite, two stacking modifications of approximate composition Mg6Fe2(OH)16(CO3).4H2O, have been determined by X-ray diffraction using three-dimensional methods. Sjögrenite is hexagonal, with a 3·13, c 15·66 Å, space group P63/mmc , Z = ¼; pyroaurite is rhombohedral, with aH 3·13, cH 23·49 Å, space group R3̄m or R3m, Z = ⅜. Both structures are based on brucite-like layers, with magnesium and iron distributed among the octahedral positions. The cations appear to be largely disordered, although ordered regions may occur in some crystals. Between the brucite-like layers are the water molecules and carbonate groups. These are statistically arranged, with their oxygen atoms distributed among a larger number of possible sites.

The crystal structure of epistilbite ((Ca2·59Na1·06K0·10) (Al6·29Si17·71O48).15·74H2O; C2/m; a = 9·08, b = 17·74, c = 10·25±0·01 Å; β = 124·54±0·05°) was determined by 3-D least-squares methods. The alumino-silicate framework is composed of 4-, 5-, and 8-membered rings of tetrahedra. There are two sets of intersecting channels each defined by 8-membered rings. The (Ca, Na) atoms in the channels are in contact with seven water molecules and two oxygen atoms giving a coordination of nine at a cut-off distance of 2·77 Å. The average tetrahedral distance is lower than for anhydrous framework alumino-silicates but consistent with some other zeolite structures. Partial Al-Si ordering exists with one tetrahedron occupied preferentially by aluminum. This tetrahedron contains the two oxygen atoms that are coordinated with the (Ca, Na) atom.

Myrmekite-like intergrowths in the Lewisian gneiss and the igneous complex of Loch Borolan are described. The intergrowths are of diverse mineral composition but have many features in common with myrmekite and it is shown that they result from the constriction of a previously existing mineral during the growth, in the solid state, of the host mineral. More than one stage of intergrowth is often found and these stages can be correlated with geological events.

The results of the electron-probe microanalysis of the three minerals from orthopyroxene-amphibole-spinel coronas between olivine and plagioclase in a troctolite from Sulitjelma, Norway, are presented. They are shown to be incompatible with a late-magmatic origin for the coronas, but compatible with an origin by diffusion of material in solution in an aqueous medium across the olivine-plagioclase interface. This theory is discussed on a quantitive basis in the light of the microanalytical data.

Some sillimanite-kyanite quartzites, which may grade into sillimanite-kyanite topazfels, from NE. Tanzania are described. In view of the suggestion that a solid-solution series might exist between topaz and sillimanite, the cell dimensions and some optical properties of both minerals were investigated. No abnormal results, suggesting solid solution, were obtained and the coexistence of topaz, sillimanite, and kyanite is ascribed to particular physico-chemical conditions.

Some structural analogies found in tsumebite, vauquelinite, fornacite, and brackebuschite make it possible to place these secondary lead minerals in the same series with general formula Pb2MeII(Z)(XO4)(YO4), where MeII is a bivalent cation as Cu2+ or Mn2+, Z is the hydroxyl group or the water molecule, X is S, Cr, or V, and Y is P, As, or V. Some crystallochemical considerations are developed in order to explain how the replacement of these elements affects the crystal structure in these substances.

X-ray, infra-red, and optical studies suggest that the bluish-grey crust (previously described as plumbogummite) on arsenian pyromorphite from Roughten Gill, Cumberland, is a carbonate-bearing mix-crystal of plumbogummite, hinsdalite, and hidalgoite with a 7·018 Å, c 16·784 Å; arh 6·907, a 61° 3′; ω 1·680, ɛ 1·698.

Phase equilibria involving solids, liquids, and vapours on the join Ca(OH)2-CaF2-Ca3(PO4)2-H2O were determined at 1000 bars. The temperatures and liquid compositions (weight %) of the isobaric invariant reactions encountered were: portlandite+fluorite → liquid, 687° C, 70 % Ca(OH)2 30 % CaF2; portlandite+fluorite+vapour → liquid, 675° C, 69% Ca(OH)2 26 % CaF2 5 % H2O; portlandite+fluorite+apatite → liquid, 675°C 73 % Ca(OH)2 24 % CaF2 3 % Ca3(PO4)2; portlandite+fluorite+apatite+vapour → liquid, 665° C, 70 % Ca(OH)2 22 % CaF2 3 % Ca3(PO4)2, 5 % H2O. The temperatures of these reactions were determined from over 400 experimental runs at selected pressures from 250 to 4000 bars. The composition of the apatite involved in the last two reactions was 60 % hydroxyapatite 40 % fluorapatite and in subsolidus regions in the presence of water, fluorapatite did not crystallize but fluorhydroxyapatite solid solutions coexisted with vapours containing up to 2·5 % hydrogen fuoride. These observations suggest that hydroxyapatite is more stable than fluorapatite at elevated temperatures and pressures and would be the composition expected to crystallize under igneous and metamorphic conditions.

Group theoretical analysis of the normal vibrations of isolated molecules and of macroscopic crystals indicates that the principal effect of symmetry reduction is to remove the degeneracy of the normal vibrations, thus reducing the number of microscopic complexions of the phonon distribution, and reducing the entropy. This mechanism is effective only in point groups containing a rotation axis of order 3 or greater, and may play a part in the high-low cordierite transition.

Two other symmetry-related entropy contributions are discussed : the first is the loss of positional degeneracy in systems in which the number of available positions exceeds the number of atoms, as in high-low quartz, vlasovite, and many ferroelectrics. The second is the loss of positional degeneracy in a solid solution, which leads to unmixing, as in high-low albite, microcline-sanidine, and high-low cordierite transitions. These mechanisms are effective in all point groups down to 1 = C1, and can proceed even within C1 by a change in the unit cell volume.

Consideration of entropy-volume relationships suggests that the glaucophane I–II transition has less order-disorder character than previously supposed. It is suggested that zoisite-clinozoisite, anthophyllite-cummingtonite and enstatite-clinoenstatite relationships are polytypic rather than polymorphic in the usual sense, and the mechanisms responsible for producing the stacking order are discussed.

The implications of the differences between the behaviour of the classical double oscillator (often used as a model for displacive transitions) and its quantized analogue are discussed.

Values of Δ2θ131-13̄1(Cu-Kα) have been determined for albites crystallized in the system NaAlSi3O8-β-LiAlSi2O6-H2O at various pressures, temperatures, and times. These values are consistently higher than those reported by MacKenzie (1957) for pure synthetic albites crystallized under similar conditions. Data of the present study have been combined with that of Stewart (1960) for albites crystallized in the system NaAlSi3O8-LiAlSiO4-H2O and, when plotted against bulk Li2O content, show constant Δ2θ131-13̄1 values at approximately 1·0 wt. % Li2O. The addition of Li to albites has a much more pronounced effect on the Δ2θ131-13̄1 parameter than the addition of K or Ca. Albites from lithium-rich pegmatites have much lower Δ2θ131-13̄1 values and are similar to those of synthetic low albites. The differences in this parameter between the natural and synthetic specimens are believed to be caused by differences in the structures of the coexisting lithium minerals in the natural and synthetic environments.

For chemical analyses with inaccurately reported H2O(+) or F, calculation of an amphibole formula on the basis of 23(O) after discarding the reported H2O(+) is in most cases as unsatisfactory as a standard calculation including H2O(+) based on 24(O, OH, F). The sum of the cations in X, Y, and Z groups most closely approaches theoretical values in a 23(O) calculation, but only by virtue of compensating and compounded errors of opposite sign. Realization of the ideal formula by either method without additional data is not an infallible criterion of accuracy of the analysis or the correct site occupation. These conclusions stem from the observation that although H2O(+) may be incorrect, most analyses add up to 100.00 or greater; thus compensating errors in metallic oxides are implicit.

A new variety of chrome mica containing V2O3 and TiO2 has been investigated by X-rays. It is shown that the crystals of this mica are monoclinic with a= 5·25 Å, b = 9·03 Å, c = 20·11 Å, β = 96·00′, space group C 2/c. Comparison of the intensities of the X-ray powder lines of this new variety of mica with that of pure muscovite may indicate structural changes. The optical properties and chemical composition of the mica are described.

The principal data about the fall and the distribution of the fragments of the Assisi (Perugia, Italy) meteorite are collected. A fragment of the stone, weighing 146·5 g, preserved in the British Museum (Natural History) (B.M. 63621), is described in some detail. Crust morphology, mineralogical composition, and structure are studied. Optical data are established by microscopical analysis of five thin sections and two polished surfaces. Compared with electron-probe analysis, they are found in good agreement. Assisi is an olivine-bronzite chondrite, H group, with characteristic features of metamorphism.

A re-examination of twelve specimens of the Gibeon meteorite has established that the meteorite is basically an octahedrite but has, in several irons of the meteorite, lamellae of kamacite of early origin parallel to the cube. Lamellae containing daubréelite, predating twinning and kamacite exsolution, are common parallel to the cube and rare parallel to the octahedron. A survey of other features failed to suggest any definitely correlated with the anomalous kamacite lamellae.