A DROP OF WATER. 
8 9 
while it is still an invisible gas, and before it has been 
drawn into a drop, then its history is very different. 
The ordinary force of cohesion has then no power over 
the particles to make them into watery globes, but its 
place is taken by the fairy process of " crystallization," 
and they are formed into beautiful white flakes, to fall 
in a snow-shower. I 
want you to picture 
this process to your- 
selves, for if once you 
can take an interest in 
the wonderful power of 
nature to build up crys- 
tals, you will be as- 
tonished how often you 
will meet with in- 
stances of it, and what 
pleasure it will add to 
your life. 
The particles of 
nearly all substances, 
when left free and not 
hurried, can build 
themselves into crys- 
tal forms. If you melt 
salt in water and then FlG ' "- A pi K e " of 
photographed, of the natural 
let all the water evapo- size 
rate slowly, you will 
get salt-crystals beautiful cubes of transparent salt 
all built on the same pattern. The same is true of 
sugar ; and if you will look at the spikes of an ordinary 
stick of rock-candy, such as I have here, you will see 
