ELISHA MITCHELL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. 75 



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 [)arallel to each other 

 and to either a rhombohedral or a prismatic face. 



An interesting phenomenon 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 

 weie considered to be safe — safe at least from molestation. That 

 the weather would interfere, or in any way affect them, did not 

 enter my mind. 



One evening in November I left these crystals nicely arranged 

 at the mine, except a few of the smaller ones, which I carried to 

 my log-cabin, thinking the while of what a treat I had in store 

 for mineral collectors and for science. 



During the night following the mercury unexpectedly de- 

 scended below the freezing point. About midnight I was awak- 

 ened by several sharp reports, like the explosion of gun caps. 

 Over a dozen of these explosions occurred. 



Upon the table, where the crystals had been placed the even- 

 ing before, there remained the next morning 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. The cold had caused the water in the cavi- 

 ties to freeze and consequently to expand and then burst the 

 crystals. 



I hastened to the mine with the gravest fears for the safety of 

 the finer ciystals 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 myste- 

 rious laws, left only as an evidence of her power to do and to 

 undo her o-randest achievements. Onlv crumbled masses of frao^- 

 ments remained to tell the story. 



Those with few cavities had burst, scattering large fragments 

 widely separated, while those containing minute cavities lay as 

 a heap of small fragments frozen together in a coherent mass. 



