Notes on a Large Crystal Sphere. 



By 



Cargill G. Knott, D. Sc, F.R.S.E. 



Professor of Physics, Imperial University. 



Some short time since I made, at the request of the owner, a 

 careful determination of the dimensions of a large Sphere of Quartz. 

 It was nearly 6 inches in diameter, and weighed 10^ lbs. avoirdupois. 

 Its history is briefly as follows. 



Nearly 30 years ago Mizuno Izumo-no-Kami, a prince in the 

 service of the late Shogun, offered on behalf of the Government a high 

 reward for the discovery of exceptii^ally large crystals. The miners 

 at Mitake Mountain, in the district of Higashi, Province of Köshü, 

 being roused to special exertions, eventually found two crystals of 

 remarkable size. But before these were shaped, ground, and polished, 

 the Prince died and the Government repudiated the bargain. The 

 wealthy men of Köfu kept the crystals in possession until a favourable 

 chance occurred for disposing of them. About 1872 the larger one 

 was bought by the Kunaishö or Department of the Imperial House- 

 hold ; but the smaller remained in stock till 1883. Since then it has 

 passed through several hands, and has recently been shipped to New 

 Yoi'k by Messrs Griffin & Co. Yokohama. 



The larger of the two crystals, which is about 7 inches in dia- 

 meter, is of a white snowy or milky colour and consequently lacking 



