142 
AN INCIDENT IN THE PACIFIC. 
[Nature and Art, October 1, 1866. 
of Mr. Healey’s family nearly 300 years, during which long 
period it has escaped accidents of time, is now covered with 
eruptions of the purest crystal, resembling palaces, shrubs, 
flowers, &c., &c., of the most exquisite beauty. On the 8th 
of August, 1859, it was removed from the cupboard for 
ordinary purposes, when it was found to be covered with 
small eruptions, which created much surprise, and being 
preserved, has continued to develop its wonderful natural 
curiosities to the present time. The attention of anti- 
quarians and men of science is expressly invited. Now on 
view, 147, Oxford Street.” 
Among those who visited this plate was Mr. 
Frank Buckland, who thus describes it in the 
second volume of his third series of “ Curiosities 
of Natural History” : — 
“ At first sight one would imagine that bits of common 
washing-soda had been scattered over the plate, and at- 
tached to it by gum ; but, on close examination with a 
magnifying glass, I observed numerous excrescences of a 
whitish opaque substance, apparently growing or extending 
themselves out of the centre and rim of the plate. The 
largest eruption (if it may be so called) is about the size 
of a fourpenny-bit, and it has raised up a portion of enamel 
above the surface of the plate to about the height re- 
presented by the thickness of a new penny-piece. In 
another place is seen a portion of enamel, also of an oblong 
shape, just being raised up above its ordinary level by the 
substance which is coming up from below. 
“ Numerous minor eruptions are also seen in the plate, all 
presenting' the same appearance, viz., that of some sub- 
stance taking its origin from the interspace between the 
upper and lower surfaces of the plate, each raising with it 
a portion of enamel corresponding- in size to the extruding 
material. I have not the least doubt that this is a 
natural production ; that the material is of a mineral 
parasitic growth, resulting from some chemical decomposi- 
tion of the clay of which the plate w r as originally formed. 
“ The proprietor told me that he had refused a cheque for 
a thousand pounds for his specimen. I therefore advise my 
readers to look in their china-closets, and see if any of 
their plates have grown since they were deposited there.” 
It only remains that we should state the pro- 
bable explanation of this singular phenomenon. 
A complete analysis of the crystalline substance 
which has forced up the enamel, is not possible 
without injuring a very interesting specimen. 
A minute portion, however, which was removed 
from one of the protuberances appears on examina- 
tion to be chiefly, if not wholly sulphate of soda. 
The question now arises, how did the sulphate of 
soda get there, and what induced it to sprout 
up, forcing up the enamel in the way above 
mentioned. 
The following is offered as a probable ex- 
planation : — 
Carbonate of soda was used in the enamel as a 
flux, the soda forming a glass with the silicic acid or 
silica. The quantities not having been accurately 
proportioned (the carbonate of soda being most 
likely in excess), a slow decomposition (not 
necessarily on the surface) has been going on for a 
long time. There is hardly a mediaeval window 
where such a decomposition may not be obsei’ved. 
The atmosphere of all large towns, London 
especially, contains suphuric acid, the result of the 
combustion of sulphur in the coal. 
The acid has by slow degrees combined with the 
soda and formed sulphate of soda, the moisture of 
the air supplying the water of crystallization. 
Every equivalent of sulphate of soda takes ten 
equivalents, or more than half its weight, of water 
of crystallization ; the increase therefore in the 
bulk of the salt on crystallizing is very considerable, 
and hence the sprouting. 
The length of time occupied by this change may 
be a puzzle to some, but the phenomenon will 
appear in reality to have taken place with great 
rapidity, if we compare it with the time which 
must necessarily have elapsed in the chemical 
changes in the crust of the earth that geology has 
brought to light. When, by the decomposition and 
the action of sulphuric acid and moisture in the 
aii’, the sulphate of soda had been formed, the 
crystallization and consequent sprouting would be 
comparatively rapid. 
AN INCIDENT IN THE PACIFIC. 
By P. Akis Eagle. 
P B.OBABLY in no part of the world are there 
such a number of beautiful scenes as there are 
in the various Groups which dot the Pacific from 
the Bay of Islands to the Equator. Of these, none 
are more diversified and interesting than the cluster 
which comprise the Solomon group. The islands 
display everywhere the richest vegetation and 
colouring ; their rocky shores being often clothed 
to the water’s edge with tropical plants and shrubs, 
which dip their graceful stems into the sea. Deep 
glens, often enamelled with flowers of the brightest 
hue, revealing here and there the luxuriant foliage 
of the pandanus-tree, are relieved again by groves 
of pine or sandal-wood, which extend to the foot of 
the hills, and are intersected with rivers and stream- 
lets, whose glittering courses are traceable until they 
finally mingle their waters with the ocean. The 
landscape is crowned by distant mountains covered 
with the rich verdure of the tropics, producing a 
scene that, for beauty and picturesque effect, may 
vie with any in the world. 
On a cruise round the northern island during the 
summer before last, in one of the numerous vessels 
engaged hi the sandal-wood trade that leave the port 
of Sydney, we found ourselves early one morning, 
under the shadow of a high mountain. The sun 
was flushing a strange orange tint in the east ; the 
orange deepened into purple, and spread into broad 
flakes over half the sky ; and, like magic, it was 
daylight. Watching the varying effects of sunrise, 
we curiously directed our attention to the mount 
which towered above us like a gigantic cone. 
