Asheville daily citizen., 1894-09-25
WONDERS OF GEOLOGY.
Indications That Crystals Possess Life and
Ability to Grow.

Ability to Grow.
Among the members of the Philadel-
phia academy of natural sciences a great
many odd and curious things are dis
cussed, about which the outside world
knows little rnothing. 1t is the oldest
institution of its kind in America, and
is devoted exclusively to the cultiva-
tion Of natural sciences. On its roll of
members are many of the most prom
inent names in the annals of science.
Founded in 1912 by n small number OF
earnest seekers for knowledge, it has
steadfastly held a position of authority
in odd and queer specimens of ma
ture's handiwork for the experts
to puzzle over. This enormous
storehouse of facts is constantly
being added to, both by stu
dents of science and the laity, who send
in old and queer specimens of natures
handiwork for the experts to puzzle
over. Aside from beasts, birds and
fishes, it's geological section, with its
thousands of cases of minerals is per-
haps one of the most interesting.
Among the recent discussions was
the subject of crystals, which, accord
ing to some authorities, manifest .un-
mistakable symptoms of possessing
both life and growth. They have been
proven to grow, for specimens that have
been purposely broken or injured will
in course of time redevelope into their
customary forms. Their vitality,
though apparently suspended for ages,
is in reality retained. The zoologist
speaks wonderingly of snails resusci'
tated by warm water after score OF
years spent in museum drawer, while
the botanist is amazed ut the sprout
ing of seeds taken from the sarco
phagi of the ancient Egyptians.
But how much more surprising is it tc
find that grains of sand torn from theil
rocky beds ages ago and worn tc
roundness by the waves of the ocean
will, under proper conditions resume
their original shapes of exquisite sym
metry, with polished faces of geomctri
ca. regularity. Crystals Of all kinds
will build themselves up and repair
damages in this way if placed in solu'
tions containing their own elements
Science has discovered that the frs
step in the formation of crystals is th'
separation of minute globules from /
solution. These globules arrange
themselves with unerring mathcmat
ical accuracy, building up skeletons o
crystals, which are afterward by tn,
same mysterious process of natur
clothed and made complete 1t is NJ
easy matter to construct pcrfcc
cube, each of whose six sides is al
equal square, yet nature turns on
such objects of perfect geometrica
symmetry in countless numbers.
If glassful of salt and water is al
lowed to evaporate slowly in a coo
place the salt will be found to talk
the form of cubes, each of which
mathematically exact in shape. Crys
tails of salt always assume the shape O
cubes, sometimes measuring thrc
inches in diameter. All OF the NOR
important metals crystalline as cubes
including gold, silver, copper and lead
Some crystals take very remarkabl
shapes. TIose of iron sulphide, for es
ample, look like villa roses counter
feited in metal. The crystalline lin
, formation known as 'landscap
marble" exhibits all sorts of wonderfr
pictures when slice of it is cut an
, polished. People are constantly sent
ing to the academy supposed or fax
fossil animals and other oddities
, which are in reality mere accidents
forms carved by nature. A pebble
a stream may gather about itse
grains of sand until an odd-shape
lump Is formed. favorite shal
for such humps is that of a turtle, wit
4 four legs, a head and tail, even IL
lines Of the shell being sometimes di
> tinct. Similar concrctions of carbona
4 OF iron and clay assume the appearan'
I Of petriRed peanuts. Break one ar
I you will always find inside sma
:. spiral winkle shell, which has serv,
. as the nucleus. An exceedingly ra
counterfeit OF this kind, recently fo
warded to the academy, was an nlleg'
fossil foot of child about seven yea
|. old, with little stocking on, the latt
n showing signs of wear on the ball
!. the foot and on the heel. 1t proved
;. be only an accidental concretion,
|. One eminent scientist has been ann
/ ing himself Of late making imitati,
b spider webs out of quartz fibers. 1t
;. well known that copper wire can
L drawn to fineness much less than 4
+ thickness of hair or to the diamet
i Of . one-thousandth part OF an inc
n But glass may be spun finer tn
!, copper, while even the finest sp,
0lass is not so Ane as silk flber. T