River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-10-19
A MONSTER CRYSTAL GEopE
an Egg-shaped shell Of Gypsum Thirty
Five Feet Long.

Those of our readers who are at all
interested in the study of rocks and
stones have proba bly, observed some Of
the peculiar concretions or nodules
which frequently occur in certain kinds
of stratified rock. These structures are
usually rounded; some Of them. indeed.
are almost perfect spheres, and many
are hollow. having their inner walls
covered with beautiful crystals. Such
a hollow nodule, whether possessing a
crystalline lining or not, is known as
geode.. Now, / wish % tell You of a
geode which in form and appearance,
and probably also in process of forma-
ton, is very much like these referred
TO, but of mammoth proportions.
IL is composed of pure gypsum or
selenite, and many Of the single crystals
are of gigantic size. This wonderful
formation was discovered with few
miles of the ma jestic Henry mountains
i'm southern Utah. 1t is situated in a
small tributary of the Fremont canyon,
and this ,iu turn leads to the Grand
canyon of the Colorado. Having once
visited the formation in the course of a
summers exploring trip, / could not
feel contented until arrangements had
been made for another journey to the
place, with equipments for properly
studying the occurrence. A few months
ago our small party, provided with
necessary riding horses and wagons
camp equipage, instruments and tools,
set out from the railway terminus to-
ward the selenite deposit.
After weeks journey FROM the rail-
way we went into camp at the selenite
deposit. The crystals occur in a cave,
which is inclosed in a shell of gypsum,
and this mound1il1e structure stands
on the side of sandstone hill This is
the geode which we have come to see
What contrast with the hard speci.
mems we have been accustomed to ex-
anime. From without the mound APP
pears to be roughly egg-shaped; it is
almost thirty-five feet long. ten feet
wide, and averages twenty feet from
the ground on the lower side to the
top. II is composed entirely of selenite.
even the outside exhibitinga multitude
of crystal faces, which sparkle in the
sunlight with brilliancy that com
a
miles. On the east end an opening oc-
ours large enough to admit man with
out discomfort; within one may make
his way backward about twenty-five
feet, and by exercising care he may
Chamber up between the crystals to a
height of fifteen feet.
The inner walls bear a multitude OF
huge crystals, which project into the
cavern from either side, few extend
ing completely across like immense
beams Several of the crystals which
have been sawn from the wall are even
larger and heavier than the body of a
fullgrown man. Perfect prisms of
selenite five feet in length are found;
one of the finest to be seen is fifty-one
inches long, and alta hed to one of its
faces are nineteen smaller crystals
Twin crystals in great variety are com
mon, and groups, each containing
many beautiful prisms, also occur
We took from the floor of the cavern a
very large group. weighing over six
hundred pounds. containing numerous
diSidual crystals Many of the crys-
tails are of perfect transparency; others
are covered with a thin layer of sand
and clay. which must be removed that
the hlster and purity of the substance
may be rendered apparent. A few feet
below the floor, which is made up
mostly of sand driven in by the wind,
we found that the gypsum she'll closes
in, forming, therefore, perfect nOdule
or geode. Popular Science News.