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Minerals First Discovered in Switzerland and Minerals Named after Swiss Individuals by Philippe Roth. Published by Philippe Roth; the Swiss Academy of Sciences; the B. & T. Tissières Martigny Foundation; and the Museum of Geology, Lausanne, Switzerland Available in North America from Excalibur Mineral Corporation, 1000 North Division St., Peekskill, NY 10566-1830 (www.excaliburmineral.com). Hardcover, 8.5 × 11 inches, 239 pages. Price $45.00 plus shipping. ISBN 3-980-7561-8-1.
The title, although unwieldy, says it all: this book offers extremely thorough accounts of all mineral species whose type localities lie in Switzerland-there are 64 of these-and just-as-detailed accounts of another 23 species which were named after Swiss citizens, though their type localities lie in other countries. The book will be of great interest, naturally, to Switzophties (Helvetiophiles?) among mineral collectors (see later), but will be valued, as well, by professional mineralogists and mineral collectors of all nations. For each species there is a two-page spread presenting all technical parameters characterizing the species; very full geological information about the species' mode of occurrence and pangenesis; a sketch of relevant historical information, including information on where type specimens presently are to be found; a list of pertinent references in the literature; and a photograph of a good specimen (many...