Picture - Cosmic Polymath

STRAIGHT-LINE AND OTHER FORMATIONS
PLATE I
Selection of crystals to illustrate radiating, concentric, and other arrangements frequently met with in plants
and animals.
Fig. 1.—Various forms of crystals of cystic oxide. Show star-like, radiating, and prismatic arrangements ; the latter assuming
angular, quadrangular, and hexagonal shapes. The stars and rosettes reseralde certain plants and animals; also lines of force
(Plates Iv. and Ivi., jjp. 107 and 109), and embryo cells developing (Plates Ixi., Ixii., and Ixiii., pp. 154, 156, and 158).
Fig. 2.—Crystals of hipp\iric acid. Elongated prisms or needles (right rhombic prismatic system). Resemble certain low
organic forms.
Fig. 3.—Rhombic crystals of uric acid. Human. Natural. «, Front view; 6, side view. Show hour-glass markings as in cells
about to divide.
organic and organic kingdoms ; that, in fact, the two kingdoms are complemental, and form parts of each
other. This view derives striking confirmation from the fact that, when magnets and electricity are made to
act on iron filings and other inanimate substances, they arrange the substances in straight lines, in curves, and in
spirals ; the straight lines radiating, the curves forming ellipses and circles which are concentric, and the spirals
being single or double, and, in some cases, forming figures-of-8, as shown at Plates Iv. and Ivi., pp. 107
and 109.
The view is further confirmed by an examination of organic cells and the cellular sexual elements after impregna-
tion and during development. Here again, and at the very threshold of life in plants and animals, the radiating,
globular, concentric, curved, spiral, branching, and segmented arrangements make their appearance, as shown at
Plates Ixi., Ixii., Ixiii., and Ixiv., pp. 154, 156, 158, and 160.
These, to many, will appear starthng statements, but they are borne out in the fullest manner by the histories
of crystals, plants, and animals respectively (vide Plates i., ii., iii., iv., and v. which follow).
As the illustrations in the work are necessarily numerous, the descriptions given of them are as brief as possible,
consistent with clearness. The figures, fortunately, for the most part explain themselves. It will suffice, in the
majority of cases, if the reader simply glances at the figures, and at the explanatory headings affixed to the descriptions
of the plates.