322 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE 



music, still the mixture of all would produce mere noise. 

 Thus it is with the processes of nature, where mechanical 

 and molecular laws intermingle and create apparent con- 

 fusion. Their mixture constitutes what may be called the 

 noise of natural laws, and it is the vocation of the man of 

 science to resolve this noise into its components, and thus 

 to detect the underlying music. 



The necessity of this detachment of one force from all 

 other forces is nowhere more strikingly exhibited than in 

 the phenomena of crystallization. Here, for example, is a 

 solution of common sulphate of soda or Glauber salt. 

 Looking into it mentally, we see the molecules of that 

 liquid, like disciplined squadrons under a governing eye, 

 arranging themselves into battalions, gathering round dis- 

 tinct centres, and forming themselves into solid masses, 

 which after a time assume the visible shape of the crystal 

 now held in my hand. I may, like an ignorant meddler 

 wishing to hasten matters, introduce confusion into this 

 order. This may be done by plunging a glass rod into 

 the vessel; the consequent action is not the pure expres- 

 sion of the crystalline forces; the molecules rush together 

 with the confusion of an unorganized mob, and not with 

 the steady accuracy of a disciplined host. In this mass 

 of bismuth also we have an example of confused crystal- 

 lization; but in the crucible behind me a slower process 

 is going on: here there is an architect at work "who 

 makes no chips, no din," and who is now building the 

 particles into crystals, similar in shape and structure to 

 those beautiful masses which we see upon the table. By 

 permitting alum to crystallize in this slow way we obtain 

 these perfect octahedrons; by allowing carbonate of lime 

 to crystallize, nature produces these beautiful rhomboids; 



