In 1861, I described (Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, and American Journal of Science) a borate, found with glauber salt in gypsum at this place, as a new mineral, by the name of Cryptomorphite, on account of its amorphous appearance to the naked eye being resolved into one most distinctly crystalline, under the microscope.

The first criticism on the mineral was made by Prof. Geo. J. Brush (Tenth supplement to Dana's Mineralogy), who said, in effect, that it could not be accepted and named as a new and distinct hydrated borate of soda and lime, because there were already too many names in use for minerals, not clearly made out to be distinct, having more or less closely similar composition.