algerite

English

Etymology

Coined by Thomas Sterry Hunt in 1849, because he believed that the sample of this mineral, which Mr. F. Alger found in Franklin, New Jersey, was a unique mineral.

Noun

algerite (countable and uncountable, plural algerites)

1. An altered form of scapolite, originally believed to be a unique mineral.
   • 1849 May 5, T. S. Hunt, “Chemical Examination of Algerite”, in The American Journal of Science and Arts, volume 8, number 22, page 106:

     I offer it as a new mineral species which will take a place by the side of edingtonite ; and to connect with his favorite science, the name of one who is among its most successful cultivators, I propose for it the designation of Algerite.

   • 1850 September, Richard Crossley, “Algerite, a new Mineral Species”, in The London, Edinburgh and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science:

     Algerite, named by Mr. Hunt in honour of its discoverer, Mr. Alger, is found in the town of Franklin, Sussex County, New Jersey.

   • 1854, James Dwight Dana, A system of mineralogy, comprising the most recent discoveries, page 203:

     By alkaline carbonates in solution, alkalies may be introduced and lime removed, thus forming mica, algerite, etc., and perhaps zeolites; and the potash carbonate appears to be able under some circumstances to replace with potash, the soda of a soda silicate, as in algerite.

   • 1858 July, George J.Brush, “Mineralogical Notices”, in The American Journal of Science, volume 26, number 76, page 68:

     Prof. T. Sterry Hunt, of Montreal, has called my attention to the near relation between the composition of the Diana gieseckite and his analyses of the minerals algerite (this Journal, [2], viii, 105) and wilsonite (ib., xix, 428),

   • 1972, Clifford Frondel, The minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill: a checklist, page 64:

     Kembleite: An obsolete local name, of unknown origin, used in reference to altered scapolite (algerite).

Anagrams

• galerite, literage, litreage, religate