264 DISCOVERY OF A WHITE FOSSIL POWDER. 
detected, a very high microscopic power shows it to contain 
a mass of transparent squares or parallelograms of different 
relative proportions, the areas often plain, but frequently 
traced with many very delicate parallel lines or streaks, 
which either cover the entire surface, or only occupy t 
middle zone in one direction, leaving a broad plain transpa- 
rent belt on each side. A proportion of the particles 
linear and very long, with occasionally a longitudinal divi- 
sion ; others of the same width are only one-half, or one-third, 
or one-fourth the length; and the sides or edges of all, 
whether squares or parallelograms, are perfectly smooth, 
straight and uniform, and the corners rectangular and sharp. 
The bulk of the powder is however composed of irregular! 
shaped particles with roughish edges and rounded corners 
though they are evidently from their texture of the same 
origin, and are but broken or comminuted fragments which 
may have passed through the stomachs of fishes, frogs, Sees 
The perfect particles bear a very close resemblance to minute 
crystals of various salts, and to a certain extent may, without j 
impropriety,. be supposed to be formed in a similar way 
Crystallization is a process which acts on and aggrega a 
together by fixed laws, the purer particles or atoms of inot- 
ganic matter suspended in fluids, and seems to be the im 
step by which they are refined, and after farther chemical 
changes, made capable of passing into an organic form. 
Therefore, while these atoms are subject to the laws of crys 
tallization, they may be considered as in an intermediate oF 
transition state between inorganic and organic matter; an 
in this view the siliceous powder now under considerations 
may be said to partake of the nature of crystals. The ent 
of which it is composed are in fact an essential portion of sesh 
organized body in its lowest and simplest state, in which the 
. vital principle has indeed been developed, but has not y 
acquired sufficient energy to liberate them from the dom - 
| iws of crystallization. i p dpi 
. After the evidences I have now brought together, I think 
the conclusion is irresistible, that this impalpable powder 
