REPAIR OF CRYSTALS. 41 



broken off or filed or dissolved away, and if then 

 the mutilated crystal be replaced in a solution of 

 the same salt or of an isomorphous one, the lost 

 part will be replaced, the crystal will be enlarged, 

 new crystallized matter will be formed on every 

 surface; but the quantity formed on the injured 

 part will be greater than that formed at any 

 other part, and repair will be more active than 

 mere growth till the proper form of the crystal is 

 regained. Then, when the repair is complete, 

 growth alone will go on, and each part of the 

 crystal, if it remain in the same solution, will 

 increase in due proportion with the rest." Here 

 the reformation of the injured part of the crystal is 

 the objective expression of the action of the forces 

 at work in producing the perfect and enlarged crystal. 

 In a man we judge of the general condition of 

 his nutrition, by the weight of his body in propor- 

 tion to his height, and his general proportions or 

 build in relation to his age. With slight altera- 

 tions of the amount of general nutrition and health, 

 we see slight alterations in the form and outline of 

 the face and figure. The growth of the teeth is 

 indicative of the age of the animal ; grey hair 

 indicates senility or depressed vitality ; the size of 

 a fruit indicates the effect of the forces that produced 

 it (see Darwin's " Variation under Domestication ") ; 

 a slight degree of absorption of fat in the body, as 

 the result of slight changes in the conditions of 

 nutrition, causes a dull appearance of the counten- 

 ance ; the smell of some animals indicates the con- 

 dition of their general health. 



