THE M A G A Z I N E - Desert Magazine of the Southwest

These pectolites are reproduced actual size. Looking at those in the upper row you
will understand why the old prospector thought they were the fossilized teeth of a
prehistoric animal.
found in association with the Zeolite minerals,
but differs from this group in that
it has no aluminum in its formula, being
a calcium sodium silicate. The normal
hardness is five, but some of the samples
we found had been so replaced with chalcedony
that they test 6V2. Some of the
more compact samples from this field
make interesting gems when cut, with a
silky chatoyancy quite pleasing to the eye.
Pectolite is supposed to occur most
commonly in volcanic trap rocks, and this
locality is no exception. Evidence is plentiful,
even on the shore of this dry lake
far from their source, that they occurred in
cavities in igneous rocks along with and
sometimes inside of chalcedony geodes.
30
Small bits of chalcedony abound in this
field and some of them have pectolites still
attached. These and the small quartz crystals
found in the float are indication of a
wonderful field back in the hills, waiting
to be explored by an energetic rockhound.
It is evident these pectolites and chalcedony
fragments have weathered out of
the rocky slopes of the hills back of the
dry lake. The country up that way looks
rough and I know of no one who has actually
tried to find these interesting minerals
in place. I regretted that I did not
have the time to follow up the alluvial fan
and see what there is at the source.
In the meantime there are plenty of
specimens for those interested in a short
Anita Scott and Eunice Hilton gathering pectolites.
sidetrip while they are visiting Boulder
dam and Lake Mead.
This is one more interesting mineral
to add to your collection when you are in
that part of the desert.
And if any Desert Magazine readers
who go there will extend their exploration
out into the center of the dry lake, and
should come across some red, yellow and
blue trilobites dashing merrily around in
the muddy water I believe they will be
serving the cause of science if they will
bottle up a few and try to bring them back
alive. If that is not possible, then preserve
them in grain alcohol as that will not spoil
their color as badly as the denatured kind.
NEW DEPOSIT OF STRATEGIC
MINERAL IS DISCOVERED
Discovery of a huge deposit of celestite
in a canyon 20 miles north of Plaster City
in Imperial county was announced late in
June. It is reported the mineral will be important
in the national defense program.
Mining has be"en started by the Penn
Chemical company of Pomona, California.
Shipments, it is said, will be made to a
DuPont chemical plant on the Atlantic
coast. Trucks will haul the rock across the
desert to Westmorland, where it will be
loaded into railroad cars.
Unofficial reports say this material, described
as strontium sulphate (SrS04)
may be used by warships and airplanes in
laying down smoke screens. Celestite is
very heavy, occurs in orthorhombic crystals,
in massive compact form.
• • •
Weatlven,
FROM PHOENIX BUREAU
Temperatures— Degrees
Mean for month 82.8
Normal for June 84.5
High on June 23 108.
Low on June 9 60.
Rain— Inches
Total for month Trace
Normal for June .07
Weather-
Days clear 23
Days partly cloudy 6
Days cloudy l
G. K. GREENING, Meteorologist
FROM YUMA BUREAU
Temperatures— Degrees
Mean for month 82.6
Normal for June 84.7
High on June 18 108.
Low on June 8 59-
Rain— Inches
Total for month 0.00
72-year-average for June 0.02
Weather-
Days clear 29
Days partly cloudy 1
Days cloudy 0
Sunshine 99 percent (424 hours out of possible
428).
Colorado river—Discharge for June at Grand
Canyon 4,260,000 acre feet. Release from
Boulder dam 1,910,000 acre feet. Estimated
storage June 30 behind Boulder dam 30,160,-
000 acre feet, a gain of 2,183,000 acre feet
since May 31. Release of extra water from
Boulder dam continued through June.
JAMES H. GORDON, Meteorologist
THE DESERT MAGAZINE