Dr. Eafon on Cryjlallization. 29 
in elegance of pattern, as he excels in ftrength 
of fabric, the manufactures of our neighbouring 
and inimical rivals. 
On Crystallization. ^Alexander Eason, 
M. D. Read November 14, 1781. 
LTHOUGH Nature always a£ts by general 
A and not by partial laws, yet the particular 
mode of her operations is frequently removed 
beyond the limited powers of the human under- 
ftanding. The truth of this obfervation is 
ftrongly confirmed by all the phenomena in the 
cryftallization of falts and other fubftances, 
■which, under proper circumftances, never fail 
to (hoot into mafles or cryftals, with more or lefs 
regularity, according to the manner in which 
the procefs may have been carried on. 
Molt bodies, during their pafTage from a fluid 
to a folid ftate, feem to difcover a tendency to 
form themfelves into regular mafles of a conftant 
or given form. This tendency is highly con- 
fpicuous in the various kinds of fahne fubftances, 
and perhaps is dependent on a law of nature 
which exerts itfelf, in a more general manner, 
than philofophers are apt to imagine. 
To me it feems highly probable, that the 
cryftallization of falts, the freezing of water. 
the 
