DOMAIN IX. ANOMALOUS. 



lisation, of which numerous examples occur in 

 the rocks and stones. 



" To distinguish perfectly the interior organi- 

 sation of these balls, and discover the manner in 

 which they have been formed, it is necessary to 

 cut, with iron wire and emery, some plates off 

 the rock, so as to reach if possible the centre of 

 the balls. They must then be slightly, but not 

 highly, polished; the former being preferable 

 for this kind of rock, as it renders its lineaments 

 more clear and distinct. It is then evidently 

 seen that the interior of these balls is solid, com- 

 posed of compact felspar or felsite, of a white 

 tinged with rose-colour, disposed in rays, or 

 rather petals*; being flat imperfect crystals, ter- 

 minating in sharp points, and diverging from the 

 centre to the circumference. An envelope, 

 about a line in thickness, of a lighter felsite, 

 surrounds the globules; and, when divided by 

 the saw, this envelope presents a circular line, 

 which encloses and circumscribes each disk, 

 serving as a kind of frame. The flowers thus 

 displayed then produce a beautiful effect ; and 

 if it were possible to obtain large pieces of this 

 rock, to saw in the form of a table, or turn in 



* Petalum means a thin plate; and was originally transferred 

 from metals to the leaves of flowers in botany. 



