Dykes from four sections across the axis of the Skye regional swarm have been analysed for major elements, Nb, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and rare-earth elements. 70 % of the dykes are characterized by relatively high CaO (11–12%), and low abundance of elements such as TiO2 (∼1%), K2O (0·05–0·20 %), Zr (30–60 ppm), with a light-rare-earth depleted chondrite normalized pattern. The remainder of the swarm comprises dykes equivalent in composition to the Skye Main Lava Series and dykes belonging to a further magma type distinguished by a flat chondrite normalized rare-earth pattern. The high-calcium, low-alkali tholeiite dykes are confined to a narrow persistent zone forming the major axis of dilation of the swarm; other basaltic dykes are axially less persistent and have a wider lateral distribution. The more evolved dykes tend to be restricted to central Skye.

Chemical, X-ray, and optical analyses of eight Ca-rich pyroxenes and three coexisting Ca-poor pyroxenes from the gabbros of the Marangudzi ring complex, Rhodesia, are presented. Both the series show limited Fe-enrichment. High Ca-content of the clinopyroxenes together with their restricted Fe-enrichment, having a trend from Ca44·8Mg42·6Fe12·6to Ca42·7Mg37·7Fe19·6, could be indicative of an alkaline nature. But the presence of a Ca-poor pyroxene phase with a compositional trend between Ca2·9Mg71·2Fe25·9 and Ca3·1Mg63·0 Fe34·9 onwards in small amounts suggests tholeiitic to calc-alkaline nature. Certain characteristics in the variation in composition of the pyroxenes confirm a transitional nature of the Marangudzi parent magma, originating at a depth comparatively greater than the normal tholeiitic magma, but less deep than alkaline magma, at a fairly high pressure. The Marangudzi pyroxenes are compared with the pyroxenes of the similar world-wide igneous complexes.

The Bondoc Peninsula meteorite appears to be unstable and is disintegrating as the result of terrestrial corrosion. The meteorite is complex with occasional 1 to 3 cm dia. ‘Nodules’ of ‘iron-class’ material, fig. 1, within which are numerous non-metallic inclusions. These range in size from 0·5–1·5 mm and vary in shape from the extremes of angular to globular, shown in figs. 2 and 3. The metallic groundmass of fig. 1 is a polycrystalline array of kamacite grains that are equant in shape and about 3 to 4 mm dia. The boundaries between these kamacite grains are heavily invaded by corrosion product. The films of cracked schreibersite and strips of compositionally zoned taenite that are present at the kamacite boundaries each contribute about 2 % by volume and their average Ni contents are about 45 wt% and 40 wt% respectively. When these figures are combined with the average 6·2 wt% Ni, 0·75 wt% Co, and 0·02 wt% P of the kamacite the resulting bulk composition of the metal is ∼ 7·5 wt% Ni, ∼ 0·7 wt% Co, ∼ 0·3 wt% P. Nital etching reveals partially annealed Neumann bands in the kamacite, indicating a late stage reheating below about 500°C. However, the M profile method of Wood (1967) when applied to the zoned taenite yields a cooling rate of 0·1–0·5°C/Myr before this reheating event.

The angular inclusions are relatively coarsely crystalline and commonly have massive chromite and tridymite crystals, with pyroxene, anorthite, and whitlockite usually present. Most angular inclusions also contain small particles of metal (10–40 µm dia.) interstitial to the mineral phases in the depth of the inclusion. Small quantities of sulphide and phosphide are similarly located. The metal in the angular inclusions is not detectably zoned and both kamacite and taenite show a range of Ni contents that vary with particle size in the manner previously observed by Powell (1969) for a range of conventional mesosiderites. We have in addition measured the Co and P contents of this metal and find P < 0·1 wt% and the Ni and Co analyses are consistent with equilibration in the ternary Fe-Ni-Co equilibrium diagram at ∼ 450 °C.

A phosphate-rich carbonate nodule from carboniferous mudstones has been studied by wet chemistry, X-ray diffraction, and electron microprobe. Partial heavy-liquid separation has enabled characterization of the phosphate phase as francolite (carbonate fluorapatite) with a composition Ca10(PO4)5·59(CO3)1·00((OH)1·49F2·10). Diffractometer data for this mineral is presented and cell dimensions are calculated as a = 9·349 Å, c = 6·887 Å. with c/a = 0·737. The problem of the structural positioning of carbon in francolite is discussed.

The francolite is seen in thin section as a structureless groundmass enclosing siderite spheru-lites. Electron microprobe X-ray distribution photographs for P, Al, Si, Mg, and Fe show the relationship of these two phases to quartz, pyrite, and at least two clay minerals. One of the latter is intimately mixed with francolite.

Possible origins of phosphatic nodules are discussed. Textural evidence in the present case strongly suggests that the francolite is concretionary and formed during early diagenesis possibly by replacement of earlier calcite. Phosphate was probably derived from protein degradation, which also maintained the alkaline pH necessary for francolite formation.

The accessory minerals rutile and apatite have been studied in 77 known porphyry copper deposits. Their value as indicators has been well established on the basis of specific chemical and paragenetic variations which they show.

Rutile occurs as the only Ti-mineral in the quartz-sericite zone, is dominant in the biotite-orthoclase zone, and is generally found in the inner fringes of the chlorite-epidote zone. It forms in these zones mainly as a result of the destruction of sphene, but also from biotite and hornblende.

The length: width ratio of rutile crystals is 1·5:1 in the centre of a porphyry system, increasing gradually outward to 2:1. A characteristic red colour displayed in thin section is attributed to a high copper content ranging from 100 to 500 ppm. The ratio of Cr+V:Nb+Ta is also unusually high.

Apatite shows evidence of a complicated history of corrosion and redeposition accompanied by outward migration during the life of the porphyry system. The migration parallels that of copper and typically extends far into the host rocks. The apatite is enriched in chlorine. A plot of a versus c shows a clear separation of apatites of various genetic types, including tin and molybdenum porphyries.