CRYSTALLIZATION. 91 



in other words susceptible of crystallization, becomes a 

 central point, a middle point and virtually the middle 

 point of the crystal. 



445. The process of polarization does not originate 

 absolutely in the fluid, any more than light has the power 

 of concentrating or crystallizing itself in any given part 

 of the aether; but by an external determination. This i 

 a granule, a projecting point in the vessel or in the hollow 

 of the earth, in which the crystals originate. The crystal 

 never begins in the middle of the fluid, but only on its 

 walls or on the surface. The point of polarization or of 

 crystallization has been granted ; now this is polar 

 towards the fluid, and works therefore by polarizing upon 

 it, and through this water also passes over into the 

 crystal, forming what is called water of crystallization. 



446. This polarization of the fluid passes in eveiy 

 direction ; for every polar point is polar aU around. Thus 

 a spherical portion of the fluid is polarized round about 

 the point. The fixable parts are spheroidally attracted 

 and gather together from all sides around the point. For 

 were the polarization not to traverse the whole mass, but 

 only according to individual lines, the crystal must then 

 indeed be jagged or indented. 



447. In this manner the crystal would have been a 

 globe, from the fixable particles lying together in distinct 

 points, after the manner of pulp. But this is impossible, 

 because the point of starting or departure is differently 

 polarized to the fluidity, being negative according to 

 observation. Every polar process does not operate in 

 continuity, so that one end of the line should be 

 purely positive, the other, however, purely negative ; but 

 every polar line is an infinity of poles, where, however, 

 at one end the positive character only, at the other the 

 negative preponderates. Such a line is e. g. as follows, 



H 1- h , which begins with + and ends with ; 



it therefore has a preponderance of + at one end, of at 

 the other, and yet is both everywhere. By this infinity 

 of polar change the fixable particles range themselves 

 behind each other, jfhile they separate from each other 



