92 ONTOLOGY. 



to an infinitely minute degree; these parts polarized 

 behind each other are lines or fibres. Every crystal 

 must accordingly consist of fibres; none possesses an 

 homogeneous or pultaceous structure. 



448. In the crystal one principal direction of polariza- 

 tion originates, which is effected by the antagonism of 

 the point of crystallization with the fluid mass. It gives 

 the direction of the crystal and its energy, gives the 

 length. This principal line consists of two poles that 

 recede from each other, and these determine the two ends 

 of the crystal, which are always similar, provided no 

 mechanical obstacle be interposed. 



449. From each of the mutually seceding poles lines 

 of polarization issue at definite angles, which (like ellip- 

 tical radii on the periphery) meet at the sides of the 

 newly produced crystal. Then again between these 

 radii tension arises, so that the fibres become lamellae. 

 The main line between the two mutually seceding poles 

 is the central line or polar axis of the crystal ; the an- 

 gular lines which determine the position of the lamellae, 

 are the polar radii. The polar radii determine the nucleus 

 of the crystal and are therefore nuclear lines ; the polar 

 axis determines the whole of the crystal, is the crystal, 

 the central-line, and determines the form in general, or 

 what has been called the secondary form. 



450. Since all polar activities operate only in a 

 straight line, there can thus be no globular crystal. 

 Water is only susceptible of assuming the globular form 

 upon a large as well as a small scale, because there are 

 no fixed poles in it. The nucleus does not originate 

 previous to the secondary form ; since it is verily impos- 

 sible for the polar rays to originate without a polar 

 axis. 



451. There are no actual degradations in the genesis 

 of the crystal ; they are only a mathematical expression 

 for the finished form of the crystal. 



452. The number of possible or actual nuclei is defi- 

 nite. They are based upon the combination of the laws 

 of the globe with those of the polarity. 



