Fleury.] 146 [March 20, 



The laws of crystallization are yet wrapped in mystery ; all we 

 know is, that when a substance is dissolved in a proper menstruum 

 that allows to its atoms or molecules free action, the substance crys- 

 tallizes according to fixed laws of polarity, whenever the medium 

 that holds it in solution is gradually evapoi-ated. 



What governs or conditions these laws, and by what agency 

 crystallization itself is produced, are yet questions to be solved. In 

 magnetism and electricity we may probably find their answer. 



Evaporation as well as condensation are sources of electricity. 

 Heat is now acknowledged as a modification of force, and in some in- 

 stances we have succeeded in converting it into electricity. The con- 

 densation of steam where 967 degrees of free heat become latent, 

 seems to be overlooked as a source of electricity. From the accounts 

 of Messrs. Faraday, Becquerel, De la Rive and others, we learn that 

 the hydro-electric machine gives static as Avell as dynamic effects of 

 electricity — combining quantity with intensity. These effects are as- 

 cribed to t\).e. friction of the particles of steam and water against the 

 sides of the outlet pipes. It has been found to take place only at a 

 hio-li pressure and with water free from all foreign substances. The 

 extraordinary amount of dynamic electricity that is produced by 

 steam is certainly not without effect when passing into the interstices 

 of quartz rock, or condensing in a saturated solution of hydrate of 

 silica. Another important crystallizing agent we have in carbonic 

 acid (Blschoff), and water under pressure (Daubree). 



We have thus attempted to trace the probable origin of the quartz 

 rock to the decomposition of sulphide of silicium in the interior of 

 the earth, by water or steam, the solution of the hydrated silica in 

 water, its infiltration into the fissures of the rock, and its final crys- 

 tallization from a semi-solid gelatinous condition. 



Nature has thus pointed out to us the way to produce artificially, 

 and for the benefit of humanity, what she prepares on a gigantic scale 

 in her laboratory. As we live in an eminently practical age, and in 

 a country where the knowledge of natural history can be turned to 

 account, we will add a few practical thoughts upon our subject. 



We have seen that nature in her great laboratory can, and does 

 dissolve quartz rock in water by forming and then decomposing sul- 

 phide of silicium ; that with this liquid hydrate of silica, she can form 

 all kinds of petrifications of animal and vegetable matter, and by 

 mixino- with other substances, mechanically or chemically, or both, 

 form an immense variety of stones. She can do it either Avith or 

 without alkaline agency. We will enumerate a few uses to which 

 the "lifjuid jUnl" might be brought in the arts : 



The first idea that suggests itself, is that of its use for making arti- 

 ficial stones for ornamental and building purposes. By mixing with 



