THE BATH WATERS. 211 



ture had caused the carbonate of lime to take the form of arrago- 

 nite and in others the form of calcite. The strontia crystals, 

 radiating and bundled like a closed fan, had a magnificent sheen 

 upon them, and were remarkably beautiful. 



If they took the analysis of Bath waters, they would find it 

 stated in some of them that traces of strontia were found ; in 

 other instances, it would be said that traces of strontia were sus- 

 pected. Was it not an interesting thing, therefore, that what by 

 chemical analysis of the water was " suspected " or barely traced, 

 they could now by this natural process show as actual crystals ? 



The question naturally arose how far these crystals were due to 

 the action of the Bath waters at different temperatures on these 

 nuts, either by coming through cracks or absolutely finding their 

 way through the pores of the shell, and how far they might be 

 due to the properties of the hazel nut. He was at one time half 

 disposed to think that he must credit the hazel with some share of 

 the performance, but he was rather disposed to give that theory 

 up, as one day he had accidentally discovered similar crystals in 

 the skull of a Romano-Briton at the Pump Room. Another 

 curious feature about these hazel nuts was that the spiral fibre was 

 found to have remained, although the nuts themselves had perished. 

 It was sufficiently perfect for the instruction of a Botany class. 

 The lecture also contained other points of interest, and Mr. 

 Morris was heartily thanked for delivering it. The specimens 

 exhibited by Mr. Morris were of great interest and beauty. 



