"How large can crystals grow? What teacher of
mineralogy but has been asked this question many times. He would probably
reply that there is no limit but if he tried to tell of the biggest
that had been found he would find it difficult to give an exact answer.
This is not an idle question. Large crystals of any substance imply not only abundance of their constituents
but extraordinary concentration at one place and unusual constancy of conditions during
long periods. The minerals that are often found in large crystals are at
least in part composed of the less common elements so that the problem
of concentration in time and place is doubly interesting and difficult.
How do they support their own weight during growth and how maintain form
and outline? Why is there such a varying maximum of size in different mineral
species?
Whatever their
interest and significance, large crystals would be more intelligible if
we had more exact data as to their actual limits of size. I have myself made a very few observations of actual
dimensions of crystal giants and would like to collect others. Will not
every reader of this magazine supply such data as he possesses? I will make
it a welcome duty to collate and publish the information. The more various
the range of minerals included may prove to be the more valuable will
be the information. Each case should carry with it such data as are available
as to the place and kind of deposit where it was found."
There is no much need to add
more words to his statement.
