(48) 
small reed to a considerable bulk. Some are hollow, 
like a quill, whilst others are solid, and their tran- 
verse fracture generally- displays a radiated surface, 
the rays regularly shooting from the centre to the 
circumference ; while sometimes they present brilliant 
angular facettes, corresponding, in their shape, with 
the crystaline Rhomb. Others, again, continue hol- 
low, and yet become -the centre of new concretions, 
which, increasing from time to time, offer to the 
view, a crystalized surface. Another pleasing effect, 
- observable in many of these stalactites, is, that al- 
though they are too soft for useful purposes, yet, 
when ‘polished, they display the different. and  con- 
centric layers or incrustations, formed by the — per- 
‘colating water; like the annual accretions of a_ tree. 
