12 
th:e: natubal science joubnal. 
terial world, quite as truly as what is 
actually true of it. 
Form, as essential to beiug, as in 
order preceding matter, is the ancient 
doctrine of Aristotle. With him, it was 
as the plan of the architect aiiteceding 
the work of art. 
Upon this basis, he founded a noble 
argument for the Supreme Being. ‘‘ The 
proof of the necessity of assuming such 
a principle of being is derived by Aris¬ 
totle from the development in Nature of 
objects whose form and structure indi¬ 
cate design.” 
Perhaps there is no more unique and 
impressive teacher of morality in the 
natural world than the science of crystal¬ 
lography. The forms in Avhich the vari¬ 
ous minerals make their appearance, the 
prevailing form with each separate min¬ 
eral, as Avell as its consistency in color, 
impress a lesson sui genesis^ both peculiar 
and profound. 
The Standard of Righteousness is one 
truth taught by the huv of crystals. 
Calc-spar crystals, for example, illus¬ 
trate this. It is said that in certain 
localities in Scotland, the crystals of this 
mineral take on forms which, at first 
sight are widely divergent. Some re¬ 
semble two pyramids Avith bases m con¬ 
tact, and quite slender (called acicular) ; 
while others of the same substance are 
the shape of rhombohedra and prisms. 
Moreover, like fluorite, pyrite, and bo- 
gite, calc-spar is found in upwards of a 
hundred various shapes, in crystalline 
condition. And yet, examination of the 
internal structure of these diverse forms 
refers them back to a single simple type, 
or “primitive form.” “It must be 
observed that in crystal bodies, the inter¬ 
nal structure — that is, the arrangement 
of the molecule — is as regular in an out¬ 
wardly shapeless mass, as in the modeled 
crystal which presents itself as a perfect 
whole.” 
Nature is exact, correct. Man may, 
or may not, be able to detect it; he may 
observe or ignore it, but “Right is 
right, since God is God.” 
There is no room for reasonable doubt 
that there is a common standard for 
moral nature as well as for the material 
world. Multitudes may not know it, 
others do not heed it; but it must be 
that there is a common laAv of right for 
all rational beings. Some people, like 
the crystallographist, have undoubtedly, 
discovered the simple. Primitive Type. 
A friend of mine whom I was visiting 
not a long time since, while showing a 
splendid mineralogical cabinet, brought 
out a little box, a very choice affair and 
called attention to some bits of most per¬ 
fectly formed quartz, sapphire and so on. 
How highly he prized them. I read in his 
eyes as he looked to mine for the appre¬ 
ciation realy due so fine a collection of 
tiny gems. Other bigger ones were 
arranged on his tasty and well-ordered 
shelves. But these little fellows were all 
too precious for the common gaze. These 
Avere more perfect than those, hence 
more to be prized. 
In the science of Avhich we are now 
thinking, “The highest perfection in 
form, and hence of other properties, it 
is only found in crystals of moderate or 
small size.” 
In other phraze, it is not quantity that 
makes the gem. Magnitude is not the 
essential of the ideal, eA’^en in nature. 
Quality, form, symetry are characteris¬ 
tics of perfection. Hence, Ave conclude 
in reasoiij that mere bulk of knowledge. 
