Trans. N. V. Ac. Scz. 134 Mar. 6, 



bubbles were noticed in any of the cavities. Some peculiar condition 

 of the crystal, or of the atmosphere, then existing, probably prevented 

 their formation. Later, the bubbles appeared in great numbers. A 

 few of the crystals were, as water-bearing crystals, very remarkable in 

 size. One weighed nearly twenty-five pounds, had both ends termin- 

 ated, was of a dark brown color, and as beautiful as any we have seen 

 from other localities. All the water-bearing crystals were large, none 

 less than two inches in diameter and many of over three pounds in 

 weight. The cavities were arranged parallel to each other and to 

 either a rhombohedral or a prismatic face. 



The interesting phenomena I observed in these crystals did not occur 

 until some time after their discovery. The best crystals of the" find" 

 were carefully selected and placed where they were considered to be 

 safe — safe at least from molestation. That the weather would inter- 

 fere, or in any way affect them, did not enter my mind. 



One evening in November last (the " find" occurred on Oct. 24), 

 I left these crystals nicely arranged at the mine, except a few of 

 the smaller ones, which I carried to my log-cabin home, thinking 

 the while of what a treat I had in store for mineral collectors and 

 for science. I will frankly confess that I was inordinately proud ot 

 my "lind" — verily, "pride goeth before destruction." 



Now, it is of the destruction of these crystals that I must speak. 

 During the night following, the mercury unexpectedly descended be- 

 low the freezing point. About midnight I was awakened by sev- 

 eral sharp reports, like the explosion of gun caps. Over a dozen of 

 these explosions occurred. 



In ttie morning the family were curious as to the cause of the 

 strange explosions heard in the night. Upon the table, where the 

 crystals had been placed the evening before, there remained now 

 only some few sharp fragments of quartz. Pieces of the crystals, 

 large and small, were found even fifteen feet away. In fact they were 

 completely ruined and now possessed only the interest ot reminding one 

 of what had been. The cold had caused the water in the cavities to 

 freeze, and consequently to expand, and then burst the crystals. 



I returned to the mine with the gravest fears for the safety of the finer 

 crystals left there. Judge of my dismay to find not one of them, even 

 the smallest, left intact. 



Crystals, that only a few hours before were rare examples of the 

 workings of Nature's laws, were now, by these same mysterious laws, 

 left only as an evidence of her power to do and to undo her grandest 

 achievements. Only crumbled masses of fragments remained to tell 

 the story. 



Those with few cavities had burst, scattering large fragments, widely 



