Min. [a. F. villarsite, f. the name of the French botanist D. Villars (1745–1814): named in 1842 by Dufrenoy.] A hydrous silicate of magnesium occurring massive or in rounded grains at Traversella, Piedmont.
1846. Worcester (citing Dana).
1850. Ansted, Elem. Geol., Min., etc., § 429. Villarsite, silicate of magnesia with iron and manganese.
1855. Orr’s Circ. Sci., Geol., etc., 511. Villarsite.—Prismatic,… Translucent Col[our], yellowish-green.
1889. A. Irving, Metamorphism of Rock, 55. Villarsite, which agrees with olivine in crystal form and optical characters, contains 4 to 6.2 per cent. of water.
