On the distribution of purple zircon in British sedimentary rocks

Abstract

By the publication of his paper on 'The source of the purple zircons in the sedimentary rocks of Scotland', Dr. Wm. Mackie has done his fellow-workers on the petrology of British sedimentary rocks a signal service, He has proved that this distinctive purple (or sometimes rosecoloured) variety of zircon is relatively abundant in the Lewisian gneiss. The variety occurs usually as rounded or ovoid grains, but occasionally with crystalline form ; it is often finely polished, as if by wind, and is sometimes zoned, with a darker centre, or displays colour of varying intensity; it is often definitely, although but slightly, pleochroic, and usually possesses high bireffingence. These characteristics at once bring to mind grains of zircon frequently met with in sedimentary rocks and recorded by numerous other observers.