Oxford Democrat

Minerals of Oxford County.

No. IV.

Paris, Me.

The principal minerals found at Mount Mica, remarkable either for their beauty or rarity, have been previously enumerated with but one or two exceptions. During the past year I have been led to a more careful examination of some small but brilliant crystals of a beige-like brownish color and often nearly transparent, which have been detected by others as well as myself at that locality, and have found them to be perfect crystals of Zircon or Hyacinth, well known as a precious stone and in their 'jewels' of watches. These specimens were, however, quite small, not often exceeding one-eighth of an inch in diameter, having the form of modified squares or tetrahedrons, and are interesting chiefly as indicating another locality of this rare mineral. It has hitherto been recorded only from one locality, Litchfield, in Maine, but I have also found it at a locality in Greenwood which will be hereafter mentioned.

Another mineral was formerly found here which has been called Phenakite, but whether correctly named or not, I am at present unable to say, having found but a single small specimen myself, though it is said to have been once common. A good specimen is now in the possession of Mr. Carter which I have had the pleasure of examining—externally it resembles a large imperfect crystal of altered Tourmaline, and such it may, when chemically examined, prove to be.

Besides Mt. Mica there have been found a few other localities of minerals in Paris of more or less interest. Streaked Mountain has afforded some fine crystals of green Beryl, but they are very scarce. Near Paris Hill some beautifully limpid and perfect crystals of Quartz have been obtained, and also fine specimens of Graphic Granite.

Norway.

In this town there are several localities of minerals worth notice, though not comparable with Mt. Mica. Pike's Hill a rounded mass of granite overlooking the valley in which is situated the beautiful Pennesseewassee Pond, with Norway Village at its outlet, is by no means a prolific locality for minerals, yet I have in my possession in this place a large and fine crystal of Iolite mineral which is very rare and when perfectly transparent valuable as a gem. This specimen is a flat rectangular prism about an inch wide and one-fourth thick, in part transparent and deep green in color. It was found by Mr. O. Shackley, several years ago and is the only specimen yet found with Rose Quartz and large specimens of Graphic Granite also occur near the summit of the hill. On the opposite side of the Village at an old granite quarry near the road to Buckfield, there are to be found very perfect crystals of Feldspar and Mica, and occasionally green Apatite. Beryls in crystals some of which are of large size, occur in the northern part of the town in a ledge of granite with Feldspar and Mica, on the farm of Mr. A. P. Pierce. They are also found, together with fine crystals of Newry, about two miles from Norway Village, near Bird Pond.

Otisfield.

Very few interesting minerals have hitherto been found in this town, yet I have seen some exceedingly beautiful and perfect crystals of Tourmaline, Beryl and Apatite obtained from the extensive granite quarry formerly worked to supply stone for the railroad bridges in the vicinity. Finely crystallized specimens of Iron Pyrites have also been met with. Red or Black Oxide of Manganese occurs on the farm of Mr. Sullivan Parker, in nodules imbedded in the soil, but is not very abundant.