Trans. N. Y. 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 of 
my ‘‘tind’’—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 the 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 of 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 
