THORIANITE  , a rare

mineral, discovered by W . D . Holland, and found in the gem-gravels of Ceylon, where it occurs as small, heavy, black, cubic crystals, usually much water-worn . It was so named by W . R . Dunstan, on account of its high percent-age of thorium (about 70% ThO2); it also contains the oxides of uranium, lanthanum, cerium and didymium . Helium is present, and the mineral is slightly less radio-active than pitchblende . It has been examined for new elements . Miss Evans (Journ . Chem . Soc., 1908, 93, p . 666) obtained what is possibly a new element, whilst M .

Ogawa (Journ .

Coll . Sci . Tokyo, 1908, vol . 25) found indications of three new species: one which he called nipponium, with an equivalent weight of about 5o and atomic weight too; the second with an equivalent of about 16.7; whilst the third yielded a radio-active oxide .