and the actual Forms of Inorganic Bodies. 133 



nothing else surely but on general observation — that, almost with 

 instinctive decision, we characterize as monstrous or imperfect, 

 whatever productions we meet with, which, while they possess 

 unity, are found to be defective in symmetry. The occasional 

 occurrence of monsters, however, and of individuals defective in 

 that symmetry which their species usually possess, renders it no 

 less obvious, that, while there are forces tending to develope sym- 

 metry in natural bodies, there are also forces acting as antago- 

 nists to the former, and modifying the result, to which the law 

 of symmetry, if taking effect alone, would give rise. In this 

 paper it is proposed to inquire into the law of the phenomena 

 alluded to. They are of the greatest curiosity and importance, 

 and have bearings upon every branch of science, and on art, 

 as well as nature. 



Now, in endeavouring to detect the law by which the par- 

 ticles of bodies group together, it is plain, that, in preference 

 to the organic kingdom, we must turn to the phenomena of the 

 inorganic. For the forms of plants and animals are obviously 

 determined by a more complicated apparatus than those of mi- 

 nerals ; the forces which evolve and modify their symmetry are 

 obviously more complex in their operation, and their analysis is 

 therefore proportionally more difficult. Directing our attention, 

 then, to inorganic nature, we observe, as a most remarkable 

 feature, when we inspect it minutely, that all its parts either 

 already possess a crystalline structure, or (to judge from all the 

 evidence which such short-lived beings as we are can obtain) 

 that they tend to acquire such a structure. Fluidity, mechani- 

 cal disturbances, cohesion, and such like forces, act as antago- 

 nists indeed, and may often prevent, for long periods, the evo- • 

 lution of that state of existence; nevertheless, every material 

 mass or group of particles seems to be constantly tending to- 

 wards it. Let us first examine the phenomena of the liquid ele- 

 ment. 



More than three-fourths of the earth's surface are covered by 

 water, and though over a great extent of it, crystallisation is pre- 

 vented by the temperature of the particles which implies a de- 

 gree of motion among them, and of mutual distance between 

 them, incompatible with that state of fixed relationship and 

 symmetrical union, wherein a state of crystallisation consists ; 



