BERYL, a mineral species, among the vari eties of which are found two of the most beau tiful and costly gems with which we are acquainted, namely, the emerald and the pre does beryl. The species belongs to the rhornholiedral system of crystallization, usu ally occurring in regular hexagonal prisms. Its constituents are silica, alumina, glucina, lime, and oxides of iron, columbium, and chro mium, in proportions which differ in different specimens.
The two chief varieties, emerald and aqua marine or precious beryl, differ chiefly in colour ; the term emerald being applied to those possessing the peculiar rich deep green so well known as the emerald green ; while all the other varieties are comprehended under the name of beryl : those which are clear, transparent, possess a good colour, and pre sent various shades of sky-blue or mountain green, being the aquamarine or precious beryl. The colour of the emerald is attributed to a small quantity of green oxide of chromium ; while the varieties in the tints of beryl may be considered to be produced by admixtures of the oxides of iron,- the yellow being the colour of the peroxides of iron, and the moun tain-green and the various shades of blue being the effect of varying quantities of the protoxide.
Emeralds, for the last two centuries, have rarely been found, except in Peru, where they occur in Santa Fe and in the valley of Tunca.
Those met with in modern times seldom TX ceed the size of a walnut. Beryls are procured from Siberia, Brazil, Sweden, Saxony, Bohe mia, and Iceland. The beryl sometimes occurs in crystals of very large size. The value of the emerald depends not only on its size, co•• lour, and brilliancy, but also on its being free from flaws, by which this gem is frequently greatly deteriorated in the eye of the jeweller. BESANCON, the capital formerly of Franche Comte, is a place of considerable manufac turing industry ; its position on the Daubs, which is navigable, and on the canal which unites the Rhone and the Rhine, makes it the centre of an important trade. The chief manufacture is that of the works of watches and clocks, in which 2000 men are employed. Hosiery, coarse woollens and cottons, carpets, room-paper, hardware, stoves, liqueurs, and artificial flowers, are manufactured, There are also iron-foundries, china-works, tanneries, several large breweries, and establishments for bleaching wax. The trade of the town consists in its industrial products, and in wine, brandy, broad-cloth, groceries, iron, and coal.